Wheelchair-Bound Man Sentenced to Life for Retaliatory Killing in Norcross

A Gwinnett County jury convicted 48-year-old Willie Lee Jones of murder in a retaliatory shooting that left 64-year-old Benjamin Alonzo Francis dead. Jones, who uses a wheelchair, was found guilty of two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a felony, and possession of a firearm by a felon. On Thursday, he was sentenced to life in prison, plus five years, with the possibility of parole.

Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson remarked on the verdict, saying, “Vigilantism is not the way to handle disputes. A man was killed senselessly, and his family and loved ones must cope with his loss. We grieve with them and hope that this verdict and sentencing will help alleviate their suffering.”

The deadly encounter occurred on May 10, 2023, at a gas station near 6355 Jimmy Carter Boulevard. Surveillance footage showed Jones and Francis, who were strangers, exchanging heated words before the situation turned violent. Francis, armed with a box cutter, attacked Jones and knocked him from his wheelchair, leaving him on the ground. After the assault, Jones managed to get back into his wheelchair and contacted his associate, Michael Joe Kelly Davis, for assistance.

Davis arrived on the scene minutes later and handed Jones a handgun. Jones then wheeled toward where Francis was standing and opened fire, striking him multiple times. The shots caused Francis to fall, knocking Jones out of his wheelchair as Francis collapsed on top of him. Jones lifted Francis’ body off himself, climbed back into his wheelchair, and fled the scene.

In a later police interview, and throughout the trial, Jones maintained that he acted in self-defense. However, the prosecution argued that his decision to summon Davis, secure a firearm, and seek out Francis showed premeditation and retaliation rather than self-defense.

Davis, who had provided Jones with the handgun, pleaded guilty before the trial to charges of involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, taking responsibility for his role in the incident.

Managing Assistant District Attorney Han Chung and Assistant District Attorney Jasmine Joseph prosecuted the case with assistance from DA’s Investigators J.D. Smith and Robert Turner. The Norcross Police Department’s Sgt. Lindsay Coleman was instrumental in the investigation, which included securing surveillance footage and statements from witnesses at the scene.

After nearly four-and-a-half hours of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all charges for Jones, closing the case on what Austin-Gatson described as a “senseless” act of retribution.