February 29, 2008
Just Desserts convict back in jail[singlepic=43,320,240,,right]
Bob Mitchell
Staff Reporter
A man convicted for his role in the infamous Just Desserts slaying in Toronto more than 14 years ago is back in police custody.
Gary Francis, 36, of Brampton, was arrested in early Sunday after Peel police say they found crack cocaine in his possession.
Police won’t confirm the quantity of drugs Francis was allegedly carrying when he was arrested Feb. 24 about 3 a.m. in the area of Haggert Ave. and Nelson St. in Brampton.
However, a source close to the investigation said police are alleging he had 33 grams of crack cocaine.
Francis was also charged with assaulting police and breach of recognizance.
“There is no doubt my client’s notorious past has attracted the attention of police,” his attorney Gary Batasar said. “Right now these are just allegations. We will vigorously fight these charges.”
Francis was convicted in the shooting death of Georgina “Vivi” Leimonis, in what became known as the Just Desserts murder on April 5, 1994 in Toronto.
A jury found him guilty of manslaughter and robbery after a trial that heard Francis had beaten patrons during the robbery of the cafe.
He was sentenced to 15 years, but that term was reduced to eight years because of credit he received for time served while in custody awaiting trial.
Leimonis, 23, died after being shot by Lawrence Augustus “Brown Man” Brown during the robbery.
Brown is currently serving a life prison sentence after being found guilty of first-degree murder.
A third man charged in the cafe slaying, O’Neil Grant, was acquitted. He was deported to Jamaica, where he was shot to death in November 2007.
Francis has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, and assaulting police.
He was also charged with breach of recognizance in connection with an alcohol-related driving offence.
Francis remains in custody and is to appear next in a Brampton court on March.4
(Date unknown)
Just Desserts convict now facing drug charges
Bob Michell
Staff Reporter
A man convicted for his role in the infamous Just Desserts Cafe slaying in Toronto nearly 14 years ago is behind bars again.
Gary Francis, 36, of Brampton is now charged with drug trafficking and assaulting a police officer in connection with his arrest early last Sunday.
It’s alleged police found him with crack cocaine when he was pulled over Feb.24 at about 3 a.m. in the area of Nelson St. and Haggert Ave. in Brampton.
“There id no doubt my client notorious past has attracted the attention of police,” his attorney Gary Batasar said yesterday in an interview.
“Right now, these are just allegations. We will vigorously fight these charges.”
Police wont confirm the quantity of drugs Francis was allegedly carrying. Francis was convicted of manslaughter and robbery in the shooting death of Georgina “Vivi” Leimonis, in what became known at the Just Desserts murder on April 5, 1994, in Toronto.
Francis was sentenced to 15 years, but he was only required to serve eight years because of credit he received for time served while awaiting trial for the caf‚e slaying. He was paroled in 2005.
Leimonis, 23, dies after being shot twice by a sawed-off shotgun fired by Lawrence Augustus Brown, who is currently serving a life sentence in prison for his first-degree murder conviction.
Offender’s lawyer says his client’s past attracted the attention of the police
A third man charged in the cafe slaying, O’Neil Grant, was acquitted. He was deported to Jamaica, where he was shot to death in November 2007.
Francis has been charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, assaulting police and breach of recognizance. The latter charge accuses him of violating his bail conditions in connection with an alcohol-related driving offence in January, 2006.
He remains in custody and is to appear next in Brampton court on Tuesday.
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JUST DESSERTS MAN HELD BT POLICE
Rob Lamberti
Sun Media
A man convicted for his role in the Just Desserts murder is in trouble again with the law.
Gary Francis, 26, of Brampton, was arrested Sunday night for allegedly possessing about 33 grams of crack cocaine, resisting arrest and breaching recognizance after a traffic stop in the Haggert Ave. – Nelson St. area.
A patrolling Peel Regional Police officer pulled Francis over in a traffic stop in the Queen ad Main St. area around 3 a.m.
Police said Francis was in handcuffs being placed in the cruiser Sunday night when he allegedly scuffled with an officer, who received a bump on the forehead.
Francis was not reported to have been hurt, police said.
He was on bail for refusing to supply a breath sample and possessing a controlled substance believed to be crack last September.15.
A source said Francis was on a prison release program when he was arrested last year.
He was returned to Milhaven Penitentiary to serve the remainder if his 15 year term, which ended last December.
When he was released, his bail conditions for last year’s charges tool effect.
Francis is to appear in Brampton court in all charges on Tuesday.
His lawyer Gary Batasar said yesterday he doesn’t doubt that Francis’ background has focused police attention to his client.
“His past obviously attracts some police attention,” Batasar said.
“We are vigorously going to defend Mr. Francis against all these allegations.”
Francis was convicted in 1999 for manslaughter and robbery in the April 5, 1994, murder of Georgina “Viva” Leimonis, 23.