Lafayette jury finds man guilty of murder

LAFAYETTE — A Lafayette Parish jury convicted a 63-year-old Lafayette man Wednesday in the August 2008 shooting death of Qaher Abualoff.

Prosecutor Keith Stutes said a jury deliberated for about 45 minutes before returning a guilty verdict for second-degree murder against James Roy Francis.

The shooting occurred outside of Food World in the 300 block of South Pierce Street.

Francis’ brother, Michael Joseph Francis, 56, is still awaiting trial on the same charge.

Stutes said video surveillance at the food store clearly identified James Roy Francis as the shooter.

Police said at the time of the shooting that Michael Francis was present and later drove his brother away from the scene of the crime.

Michael Francis was arrested on one count each of principal to second-degree murder and felon in possession of a handgun.

A grand jury indicted the two brothers on the murder charges.

James Roy Francis managed to elude authorities for nearly a year until his arrest in June 2009. A woman spotted him at a Wal-Mart store in Houston after seeing his case highlighted on the “America’s Most Wanted” television show.

“It was long coming to trial but I think justice was served and the person who committed the crime was convicted and will serve a life sentence,” Stutes said Thursday.