Retrial delayed, again, for pair accused of brazen 2017 robbery/murder at Twin Peaks
The retrial of Fantasy Decuir and Lamonte Mims – accused of the robbery/murder of movie scout Ed French at Twin Peaks overlook in 2017 – was postponed for the fourth time this morning because a defense attorney was double-booked in another trial.
The first trial ended in May last year with a jury unable to reach a verdict on the broad daylight caught-on-camera killing despite their being no dispute that Decuir shot and killed Mr French at the city beauty spot.
“I think you understand that I had no choice but to continue the case because counsel was not ready,” Superior Court Judge Eric Fleming told Mr French’s partner, family members and friends who had gathered in anticipation of the trial being sent out.
“I had a courtroom ready.”
“Eventually we are going to get this case out to jury trial,” he assured them.
An attorney for Mims told the court that he had a trial about to start in Redwood City. On three previous occasions issues with the availability of one of Decuir’s attorneys have caused delays.
The court was also told that one of the defendants was moving for reconsideration of a ‘Racial Justice Act’ motion which would likely be heard by the judge who oversaw the previous trial.
Fleming ordered the parties to appear again on April 22 2023. It may well be that the one year anniversary of the end of the first trial will be passed before a new jury is empaneled.
The judge also directed the district attorney’s office to send him an email prior to the next hearing to bring to his attention that “this is a seven-year-old case”.
Attempts to get the retrial on its feet have previously failed on July 7 2023, September 8 2023, and January 12 2024.
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