Man sentenced to total of 114 years in prison

After almost seven years on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP), a man accused of murdering two persons and attempting to murder several others, among other charges, was on Tuesday jailed for a total of 114 years.

However, George ‘Chocolate’ Franklyn will only do 40 years of his sentence, as 15 of the 17 charges that he pleaded guilty to at the High Court will run concurrently.

Franklyn was sentenced by Justice Brian Cottle in relation to a shooting rampage, which resulted in the death, on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, of his wife, 35-year-old Ingrid Jack-Franklyn and his neighbour, 48-year-old vendor Marva James.

For murdering his wife (count one), Franklyn, who said he is now a born-again Christian, was sentenced to 25 years in prison (time served to be deducted). He was also sentenced to five years (concurrent) for possession of a firearm with intent to murder his wife (count two).

Count three, the murder of Marva James, saw Franklyn given 15 years to ponder his decision to gun down the 48-year-old vendor, while she was having breakfast on the porch of her Bamboo Range, Campden Park home. This sentence will run consecutively with count one, which means that after serving his 25-year sentence, the guilty man will have to serve 15 years.

Count four, possession of a .45 calibre firearm with intent to commit murder, saw Justice Cottle giving Franklyn five years (concurrent).

He was also charged with four counts of intent to murder Desroy Lavia, 19, of Owia; Sharon James, 29, clerk; Desroy Jack, 30, labourer, and Nolly Jack, 45, fisherman. For each of these offences, he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, to run concurrently with count one.

Three counts of aggravated burglary saw Franklyn being given seven years each. These sentences will run concurrently.

For having in his possession four rounds of .45 ammunition, he was sentenced to three years (concurrent).  Five other charges in relation to the firearm attracted no sentences by Justice Cottle, as he noted that the same firearm was used in all the incidents on the same day.

Franklyn has already served over six years of his 40-year sentence, seeing that he has been in prison since September 2011.

He is now 48 years old.

Police Officer Biorn Duncan was the investigating officer in the case. Lawyer Stephen Williams appeared on behalf of the defense while the crown was represented by Sejilla McDowall and Tamika McKenzie.