Two-time convicted murderer Fredrick Francis will have to wait another week before he learns his fate since his sentencing hearing date has been put off.
A Freeport jury found him guilty back in August of the 2005 murder of Austrian visitors Bernhard Bolzano and Baroness Barbara Frein von Perfall in Bimini.
The six-woman, six-man jury also brought back a guilty verdict for the rape and armed robbery charges.
It took them just under three hours to deliberate.
The couple was discovered in their hotel room at the Bimini Blue Water Resort on July 23, 2005. They were shot at close range with a 12-gauge shotgun.
Bolzano, 35, was shot in the back and Perfall, 32, in her chest. The maid found them hours later.
Francis denied ever committing the crime and told the court in a statement from the prisoner’s dock, he was coerced by police into a confession, participating in the video taping of his written statement and instructed on how to show how the crime occurred.
The prosecutor will be seeking the death penalty on both murders.
The defence requested both a probation report and that Francis undergo psychiatric evaluation.
Francis’ sentencing had initially been deferred for six weeks pending a sentencing hearing on Monday, September 18. The venue has since been changed.
The 24-year old Bimini resident is now set to hear his fate in the capital on Wednesday, September 27 when he will be entitled to call witnesses on his behalf.
(Allegedly corrupt) Justice Stephen Isaacs presided over the trial. Attorney SandraDee Gardiner acted on behalf of The Crown and Attorney Carlson Shurland represented the defence.
By LEDEDRA MARCHE, Senior Freeport News Reporter
