A late-night dice game in Pontiac has now officially ended in a double-murder conviction. An Oakland County jury has found Davonte Demetri Franklin, 34, of Detroit, guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for a double-fatal shooting that took place during the game on Oct. 8, 2024. Jurors also convicted him on weapons-related charges, and Franklin is scheduled to be sentenced on August 3.
According to ClickOnDetroit, the shootings happened inside an apartment in the 100 block of North Sanford Street, where 20-year-old Sidney Ward III and 24-year-old Tyrone Davis Glenn Jr. were found with multiple gunshot wounds. Ward was pronounced dead at the scene, and Glenn died a short time later at a hospital. The jury also found Franklin guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
How Deputies Closed In
Oakland County deputies arrested Franklin roughly 12 hours after the shootings in the area of Eight Mile Road and Evergreen Road in Southfield. Detectives say he was carrying grocery bags and a case of beer when they took him into custody, according to FOX 2 Detroit. Authorities recovered two semi-automatic handguns and said Franklin had left the apartment in an Uber before detectives tracked him down.
Sheriff Reacts, And A Bizarre Detail Emerges
"I have been in this a long time, but it is still shocking to see the lack of value some people place on a human life," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said, according to FOX 2 Detroit. Investigators also said Franklin tried to stuff a potato into a gun to muffle the sound of the shots, but witnesses still reported hearing them.
Families Grieve The Loss
Relatives described the victims as loved and central to their families, and they called for justice as the case moved through court. "He was a son, a brother, a father, a uncle. He was a friend. Now, he's gonna be a memory," Tyrone Glenn's cousin Markeela Jacob told WXYZ.
What The Law Says
Under Michigan law, a conviction for first-degree murder is punishable by imprisonment for life without eligibility for parole, as set out in state statute. The Michigan Legislature details the penalty, and Franklin's exact sentence will be determined at his August 3 hearing.
What Happens Next
Franklin is set to be formally sentenced at 8:30 a.m. on August 3, before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwame' L. Rowe, according to ClickOnDetroit. Hoodline previously covered the initial charges in October 2024; see our earlier report on Hoodline.
