Background of the Case

The San Francisco District Attorney’s office has announced that Fantasy Decuir and Lamonte Mims, both 27 years old, have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for their involvement in the murder and robbery of photographer Edward French at Twin Peaks in July 2017.

Details of the Crime

On July 16, 2017, Edward French was taking photographs with his Canon Mark III camera at the popular tourist site known as Twin Peaks. Surveillance footage captured Decuir and Mims approaching French and attempting to rob him at gunpoint. Following a struggle, Decuir shot French through both the heart and the right lung.

After the shooting, Mims is reported to have forcibly taken French’s camera bag and kicked him while he was on the ground. The two assailants fled the scene shortly thereafter.

Prosecutors indicated that less than an hour after the incident, Decuir and Mims attempted to sell the stolen camera in the nearby Mid-Market area of San Francisco.

Subsequent Arrest and Conviction

Decuir and Mims were apprehended following another attempted robbery on July 28, 2017, where they targeted tourists in Cathedral Hill, aiming to steal a camera and credit cards at gunpoint.

In September, both were convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances, along with charges of robbery and firearm use against Mims.

Community Response

Following the sentencing, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed gratitude towards the victim’s family and the San Francisco Police Department for their efforts in bringing justice to the case.