Third Murder Conviction Stemming from 2003 Allison Home Invasion Robbery Results in Life Sentence for James Franklin

The San Bernardino County Superior Court has handed down sentencing for the third murder conviction resulting from the September 2003 home invasion that ultimately led to the death of Big Bear resident Allen Allison, who died in May 2004 as a result of severe injuries, which included paralysis. Defendant James Franklin, who was one of four men from Barstow to rob the home of Allison and Nancy George in September 2003, was denied a new trial when he appeared in court in February. What Franklin did receive was 34 years and 8 months, plus life in prison without the possibility of parole. Franklin was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine in addition to $5,600 in restitution to the family, which includes Allison’s daughter Stephanie, who testified in open court during the sentencing hearing. The fourth defendant in five years of court proceedings, Jose Ceja, has been convicted of attempted robbery, though, in November 2008, he did not receive a murder conviction, as the jury was hung 11-1. Ceja remains in custody and, in April, a determination will be made as to whether he will be re-tried for murder. The other two men convicted, Robin Sherwood (a former employee of Allison’s Allison Asphalt) and Vavao Faumui, were committed to life prison sentences in 2006 and 2007.