The trial for a Brooksville man charged in connection with the 2018 double murder of a Brooksville teen and her mother is underway.
On Jan. 23, 2018, deputies from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) responded to a report about a shooting at a residence at 27378 Azen Loop in the Hill n’ Dale neighborhood.
At the scene, they found that 16-year-old Brene Marshall and her mother, Taneta Morrell, had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
According to HCSO, Adolphus Washington was also shot in the home and was airlifted to an area hospital for treatment.
He survived his injuries.
At the time of the incident, Sheriff Al Nienhuis said that there was also “other violence” involved in the incident.
On Jan. 26, 2018, arrested Khristian Donyell Francis, then 24 years of age, and booked him into the Hernando County Detention Center, where he was held without bail.
Francis was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, home invasion while armed, burglary of a dwelling, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was booked into the Hernando County Detention Center, where he was held without bail.
Francis’ jury trial began on Feb. 21 with Judge Daniel Merritt, Jr. presiding.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty in connection with the killings.
Francis’ criminal record includes the following:
In 2013, Francis was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, but charges were dropped because the victim requested that Francis not be prosecuted.
In 2014, he was found guilty of burglary of a dwelling and grand theft of $300 or more.
In 2017, he was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon. The prosecution abandoned charges relating to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
