Wheelchair-bound man gets life for fatally shooting attacker after altercation at Norcross gas station

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A Gwinnett County jury found a wheelchair-bound man guilty of shooting and killing a Norcross man as retribution for being assaulted. 

Willie Lee Jones, 48, was convicted on Thursday of two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a felon for the May 10, 2023, shooting death of 64-year-old Benjamin Alonzo Francis. Jones was sentenced to life in prison plus five years with the possibility of parole. 

“Vigilantism is not the way to handle disputes,” said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. “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.” 

On the day of the murder, Jones and Francis encountered one another at a gas station near 6355 Jimmy Carter Boulevard. Neither man knew the other, according to investigators. Surveillance footage showed the two men exchange words before Francis, who was armed with a box cutter, attacked Jones, and knocked him from his wheelchair. Jones got himself back into his wheelchair and called Michael Joe Kelly Davis. Several minutes later, Davis arrived and provided Jones with a handgun. Jones then wheeled his way toward where Francis was and fired multiple shots at Francis, killing him. Francis fell, knocking Jones from the wheelchair and landing on him. Jones was able to lift Francis’ body off him and get back into the wheelchair to flee the scene.  

In a subsequent interview with police, and in court, Jones said he shot Francis in self-defense. Prior to the trial, Davis, who gave Jones the murder weapon, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The jury deliberated for nearly four-and-a-half hours before returning a verdict for Jones. 

Managing Assistant District Attorney Han Chung and Assistant District Attorney Jasmine Joseph prosecuted the case. They were assisted by DA’s Investigators J.D. Smith and Robert Turner and Victim Witness Advocate Shenita Coward. Norcross Police Department Sgt. Lindsay Coleman was instrumental in closing the case.