Franklin Tyrone Tucker testifies in his own defense in his murder case. Prosecutors charged him with killing Matthew Bonnett in a robbery. (Screenshot: Law&Crime Network)
The judge declared a mistrial on Thursday in the case of the man who represented himself against charges that he participated in a bloody, fatal robbery. Jurors were deadlocked.
This case caught attention in part because the defendant ended up marrying Lauren Jenai, a co-founder of CrossFit.
Jury is deadlocked! And that’s a wrap! Miss try declared. State will have to decide if they want to try him again.#treehousemurdertrial #FranklinTucker
— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) January 25, 2024
Prosecutors in Monroe County, Florida, said that Franklin Tyrone Tucker, 52, was one of three men who executed the crime. He allegedly joined Rory “Detroit” Wilson in robbing a ramshackle residence known as the Treehouse. Masked, wearing all black, and armed with knives, they barged in while Pamela Belmonte was there, prosecutors said.
Wilson, who was convicted in 2022 of first-degree murder and robbery, slashed her in the neck and hand. She survived.
Then the robbers encountered Matthew Bonnett, who was stabbed five times and his nose broken during a fatal confrontation.
A survivor, Roger Raugutt, testified that Tucker’s height matched one of the masked robbers.
Tucker was charged with murder while engaged with a certain felony, robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and battery.
Remarkably, Belmonte has denied Tucker was there. She said she heard another person’s voice, not his. Belmonte and the defendant appeared quite chummy in a picture they took together while she was in the hospital for an unrelated matter, but her health issues complicated her testimony.
Defendant Tucker posted a picture of him visiting surviving victim Paula Belmonte in the hospital. (medical condition not related to this case). She says Tucker was not one of the men that attacked her. (this trial is fascinating!) #FranklinTucker #TreehouseMurderTrial… pic.twitter.com/zW49XDGLxd
— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) January 16, 2024
When Tucker called her to testify, she had to livestream from her hospital bed, and the judge cut it short when she appeared unresponsive. They instead used footage from testimony at Wilson’s trial to play at Tucker’s.
Tucker has emphatically denied his involvement in the crime and has accused the judge of railroading him.
The judge has voiced frustration with his behavior — the defendant repeatedly arrived late to court and frequently spoke over him. One day, Tucker did not have witnesses ready, resulting in the judge chiding him.
Judge very unhappy with #FranklinTucker for not having witnesses ready and wasting the jury’s time. Tucker said he’s going to file a motion tonight to recuse the judge. #TreehouseMurderTrial pic.twitter.com/qVDpSToW9h
— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) January 22, 2024
In closing arguments on Wednesday, the prosecution maintained their key witness, getaway driver John Travis Johnson, was credible because other evidence corroborated him, his story remained constant throughout the years, he told credible details before authorities revealed any evidence to him, and he told his story before prosecutors offered a plea deal in 2022 to robbery with a weapon while masked, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon while masked.
Johnson said that he met Wilson and Tucker and partied with them — drinking and doing drugs. They plotted the robbery after they ran out of alcohol, drugs, and money.
Tucker continued to maintain his innocence at closings, voicing outrage at the state’s argument. He asserted it was false.
“Yes, I am upset,” he said. “I’m sick to my stomach right now.”
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