GUILTY FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA arrest*

[Niner]

From what I can make of the court site - it looks like a "go". It doesn't have response to the defense's motion for continuance.

Monday, October 26th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 2nd degree murder with a firearm & robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch
Trial set to begin on 10/26/20 (at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 6/11/20 reference post #39 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA*
6/8/20 Update: Notice of pretrial conference hearing on 10/13/20 & trial has now been set to begin on 10/26/20.
10/8/20 Update: Motion for trial continuance filed. 10/13/20 Update: Next trial on 10/26/20. Nothing mentioned on defense’s motion for trial continuance. 10/16/20: Cancelled of deposition on 10/16/20 for Laura Wenz. Deposition for Amanda Taylor on 10/28/20. 10/20/20: State’s response to Defendant’s request to produce discovery.

 

[Niner]

No update in the court site, so shall keep posting until then.

Tuesday, October 27th:
*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 9am ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 2nd degree murder with a firearm & robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch
Trial began on 10/26/20 (at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 10/16/20 reference post #41 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA*
10/20/20: State’s response to Defendant’s request to produce discovery. Next trial on 10/26/20.
10/26/20 Trial Day 1 Monday: Jury selection. No other info available. Trial continues on 10/27/20.

 

[Niner]

Court site isn't giving too much info out....

Wednesday, October 28th:
*Trial continues with Jury Selection (Maybe!) (Day 3) (@ 9am ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 2nd degree murder with a firearm & robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch
Trial began on 10/26/20 with jury selection. (Trial to last at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 10/16/20 reference post #41 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA arrest*
10/20/20: State’s response to Defendant’s request to produce discovery. Next trial on 10/26/20.
10/26/20 Trial Day 1 Monday: Jury selection. No other info available. Trial continues on 10/27/20.
10/27/20 Trial Day 2 Tuesday: Jury selection. Update: Order on Defendant's Motion to conduct a 2nd depo of Laura Wenz-granted. Don’t know IF jury selection is going on. Jury selection (maybe) continues on 10/28/20.

 

[Niner]

from the docket:

Date Description Pages Doc Request
Doc
10/27/2020 Order
Comments: ON DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO CONDUCT A SECOND DEPOSITION OF LAURA WENZ- GRANTED
1
10/26/2020 HEARING - Trial - White, Keith F

link: https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/...lh36kSwmGoyd92RkY4wF9eRhy/oy8y12rGjaB5DL+lxM=

 

[Niner]

from docket today:

Date Description Pages Doc Request
Doc
10/27/2020 Notice of Cancellation

Comments: OF DEPOSITION
1
link: https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/...a3+TvI49Em95IOGK2/DYYXZ8UOjLa34fLRBkuIj7fMGo=



This depo cancellation is for Amanda Taylor. There is no new court date on the hearings section - last one is on 10/26/20. So don't really know "what" is going with this case...

If anyone finds any "recent" articles - please post. I'm just getting old articles as usual....

I'm going to stop posting the "trial continues" stuff.

 

[MajorHoople]

Cold case killing of Florida college student cracked thanks to DNA, genealogy database, police say

'I honestly never thought they would find him': DNA leads to arrest in 2001 killing

I just looked at the video for the first time. Benjamin Holmes certainly has that deer-in-the-headlights look in his mugshot.

 

[Niner]

The only recent documents in the court site:
Orange County Clerk of Courts Records Search


and the last day they have for trial on there is 10/26/20.

Dang if I know what's going on with this case....

 

[Niner]

11/2/20 Update: Amended Notice of taking Depo of Laura Wenz on 12/4/20 @ 1pm. And Amended Notice of taking Depo of Amanda Taylor on 12/10/20 @ 3pm. Both via Zoom.

link: https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/...fGA8e4yPyN/WuIeOhExtU29gFaCMeB1LrFIRcVqwO+X0=


going to "assume" the trial was stopped....

 

[Niner]

Friday, December 4th:
*Deposition Hearing (via Zoom)/*Trial was stopped on Day 2 (@ 1pm ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 2nd degree murder with a firearm & robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch
Trial began on 10/26/20 (at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 10/16/20 reference post #41 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA arrest*
10/20/20: State’s response to Defendant’s request to produce discovery. Next trial on 10/26/20.
10/26/20 Trial Day 1 Monday: Jury selection. No other info available. Trial continues on 10/27/20.
10/27/20 Trial Day 2 Tuesday: Jury selection. Update: Order on Defendant's Motion to conduct a 2nd depo of Laura Wenz-granted. Motion of depo cancellation for Amanda Taylor. Jury selection (maybe) continues on 10/28/20. 10/30/20: State: Notice of Unavailability. Assistant State Attorney Sean Burton Wiggins gave notice that he will be unavailable for hearings, depos & trial during the dates of 11/23 thru 11/25/20 & 2/2/21 thru 2/10/21. No updates in court site for hearings since 10/26/20.
11/2/20 Update: Amended Notice of taking Depo of Laura Wenz on 12/4/20 @ 1pm. And Amended Notice of taking Depo of Amanda Taylor on 12/10/20 @ 3pm. Both via Zoom.

 

[Niner]

11/2/20 Update: Amended Notice of taking Depo of Laura Wenz on 12/4/20 @ 1pm. And Amended Notice of taking Depo of Amanda Taylor on 12/10/20 @ 3pm. Both via Zoom.

https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/...JD/2euWyAyYgsu/5kwWjlxf4LGyzbepoKxePs51EfjFo=

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Dec. 10th:
*Deposition Hearing (via Zoom)/*Trial was stopped on Day 2 (@ 3pm ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 2nd degree murder with a firearm & robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch
Trial began on 10/26/20 (at least 3 weeks) was stopped on Day 2.
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 10/30/20 reference post #49 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA arrest*
11/2/20 Update: Amended Notice of taking Depo of Laura Wenz on 12/4/20 @ 1pm. And Amended Notice of taking Depo of Amanda Taylor on 12/10/20 @ 3pm. Both via Zoom.

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, February 16th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (Virtual) (@ 9am ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 1st degree murder (with a firearm) & 1t degree robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch
Trial began on 10/26/20 continued to 3/1/21. (at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 10/30/20 reference post #49 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA arrest*
11/2/20 Update: Amended Notice of taking Depo of Laura Wenz on 12/4/20 @ 1pm. And Amended Notice of taking Depo of Amanda Taylor on 12/10/20 @ 3pm. Both via Zoom. 12/18/20 Update: Uniform Order setting pretrial conference & trial. Next virtual pretrial hearing on 2/16/21 @ 9am & trial set to continue on 3/1/21.

 

[Niner]

Update on docket since last time.

Docekt Events;
Date Description Pages Doc Request
Doc
6/14/2021 HEARING - Trial - Alvaro, Chad K

6/1/2021 HEARING - Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K

3/1/2021 HEARING - CANCELED-Cancelled Trial - Alvaro, Chad K

2/16/2021 Defense Motion to Continue
Comments: Granted.

2/16/2021 Court Minutes
2/16/2021 HEARING - Virtual Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K (Actual: Alvaro, Chad K)

2/15/2021 Notice of Supplemental Discovery 1

2/12/2021 Affidavit of Service 1
2/12/2021 Notice of Supplemental Discovery 1

2/11/2021 Notice of Provision of Witness List 1
2/11/2021 Notice of Filing 34
2/11/2021 Affidavit of Service 1

2/10/2021 Affidavit of Service 1
2/10/2021 Exhibits Defendants 52
2/10/2021 Exhibits Defendants 60

2/9/2021 Notice of Filing 77

2/8/2021 Deposition
Comments: NOVEMBER 8, 2019 PART 2
2/8/2021 Deposition
Comments: NOVEMBER 8, 2019
2/8/2021 Motion to Suppress 24

2/4/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2
2/4/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2

2/3/2021 Amended Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2
2/3/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2

2/2/2021 Notice of Supplemental Discovery 1

2/1/2021 Affidavit of Service 1
2/1/2021 Affidavit of Non-Service 1
2/1/2021 Affidavit of Non-Service 1
2/1/2021 Affidavit of Non-Service 1

1/29/2021 Affidavit of Service 1

1/28/2021 Notice of Unavailability 1

1/26/2021 Subpoena for Deposition Issued to
Comments: LEIGH CLARK 1
1/26/2021 Subpoena for Deposition Issued to
Comments: STUART JAMES 1
1/26/2021 Subpoena for Deposition Issued to
Comments: DEBORAH KAHN 1
1/26/2021 Subpoena for Deposition Issued to
Comments: KACI LAMASTER 1
1/26/2021 Subpoena for Deposition Issued to
Comments: JILLIAN WHITE 1
1/26/2021 Praecipe Filed 1
1/26/2021 Praecipe Filed 1
1/26/2021 Praecipe Filed 1
1/26/2021 Praecipe Filed 1
1/26/2021 Praecipe Filed 1

1/20/2021 Amended Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2
1/20/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2
1/20/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2
1/20/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2
1/20/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2
1/20/2021 Notice of Taking Deposition(s) 2

12/18/2020 Order Setting Pre-Trial Conference 5

11/30/2020 Affidavit of Service 1

11/12/2020 Affidavit of Service 1
11/12/2020 Affidavit of Non-Service 1


Hearings:
Date Hearing Time Location Pages Doc
6/14/2021 Trial - Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

6/1/2021 Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

3/1/2021 CANCELED-Cancelled Trial-Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

2/16/2021 Virtual Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K (Actual: Alvaro, Chad K) 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

link: https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/...aX++XUHdrleRfNNDds/J5OBDJVaBpbQ0ni8U2W4xOuPA=

 

[PayrollNerd]

Her family has a Facebook page for her but no recent posts. This must be so hard for them.

Christine Franke #justiceforchrissy
Post on 7/8/2019

On Tuesday, July 9, WKMG 5:00 pm news in Orlando will show a segment on Genetic Geneology and how the DNA of a family member helped solve Christine's case. My understanding is that the story is about the cousin who's DNA was a distant match to her murderer and how he feels about his DNA being used to solve the crime. If you do not get this Orlando news station, the story will be available on www.clickorlando.com about an hour after, so after 6:00 pm.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Posted 11/6/2018

Facebook

CHRISTINE FRANKE COLD CASE
DNA leads detectives to suspect in 17-year-old Orlando murder

Officers got Benjamin Holmes’ DNA from a Bud Ice beer can and seven small cigars Holmes had thrown away outside his friend’s home.
CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/2QitDvf

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, June 1st:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 9am ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 1st degree murder (with a firearm) & 1st degree robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch
Trial was to begin on 10/26/20 continued to 3/1/21 & continued to 6/14/21 (at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 11/2/20 reference post #52 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA arrest*
12/18/20 Update: Uniform Order setting pretrial conference & trial. Next virtual pretrial hearing on 2/16/21 @ 9am & trial set to continue on 3/1/21.
2/16/21 Update: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Next pretrial conference hearing on 6/1/21 & trial set to begin on 6/14/21. 2/19/21: Notice of supplemental discovery. 2/22/21 Notice of provision of witness list. 3/8/21: Motion to appoint expert. 5/27/21: Notice: of conflict filed by attorney Jerry Girley; has a military court martial hearing on 6/1/21 & a trial that will last 4 days.

 

[Niner]

Docket:
Date Description Pages Doc Request

9/27/2021 HEARING - Trial - Alvaro, Chad K

9/14/2021 HEARING - Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K

6/14/2021 HEARING - CANCELED-Cancelled Trial - Alvaro, Chad K

6/1/2021 Electronic Copy Sent to Private Attorney
Comments: Document Delivery: JERRY GIRLEY ESQ - Sent 6/1/2021 3:08:01 PM
2

6/1/2021 Defense Motion to Continue
Comments: Granted.

6/1/2021 Court Minutes 2

6/1/2021 HEARING - Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K (Actual: Alvaro, Chad K)


Hearings:
Date Hearing Time Location Pages
9/27/2021 Trial - Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

9/14/2021 Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

6/14/2021 CANCELED-Cancelled Trial - Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

6/1/2021 Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K (Actual: Alvaro, Chad K)9:00 AM Room 6-A the 6th Floor

link: https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/...F5guK4tufIq1HFs13KgbNTGtn0yzq65LM9IlqeYuRfRA=

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Sept. 14th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 9am ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 1st degree murder (with a firearm) & 1st degree robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch.
Trial was set to begin on 6/14/21 continued to 9/27/21 (at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 11/2/20 reference post #52 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA arrest*
12/18/20 Update: Uniform Order setting pretrial conference & trial. Next virtual pretrial hearing on 2/16/21 @ 9am & trial set to continue on 3/1/21.
2/16/21 Update: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Next pretrial conference hearing on 6/1/21 & trial set to begin on 6/14/21. 2/19/21: Notice of supplemental discovery. 2/22/21 Notice of provision of witness list. 3/8/21: Motion to appoint expert. 5/27/21: Notice: of conflict filed by attorney Jerry Girley; has a military court martial hearing on 6/1/21 & a trial that will last 4 days.
6/1/21 Update: Defense motion to continue trial-granted. Next pretrial conference hearing on 9/14/21 & hearing on 9/21 @ 3:30pm regarding Motion in Limine & trial set to begin on 9/27/21. 8/11/21: Motion to Suppress DNA denied.

 

[Niner]

Docket:
Date Description Pages Doc Request
Doc
12/6/2021 HEARING - Trial - Alvaro, Chad K

11/23/2021 HEARING - Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K

9/27/2021 HEARING - CANCELED-Cancelled Trial - Alvaro, Chad K

9/21/2021 HEARING - Hearing - Alvaro, Chad K

9/14/2021 Electronic Copy Sent to Private Attorney
Comments: Document Delivery: JERRY GIRLEY ESQ - Sent 9/14/2021 12:06:02 PM

9/14/2021 Order Setting Pre-Trial Conference

9/14/2021 Defense Motion to Continue
Comments: Granted.

9/14/2021 Court Minutes

9/14/2021 HEARING - Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K (Actual: Alvaro, Chad K)


Hearings:
Date Hearing Time Location Pages Doc
12/6/2021 Trial - Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

11/23/2021 Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

9/27/2021 CANCELED-Cancelled Trial - Alvaro, Chad K 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

9/21/2021 Hearing - Alvaro, Chad K 3:30 PM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

9/14/2021 Pre-Trial Conference - Alvaro, Chad K (Actual: Alvaro, Chad K) 9:00 AM Room 6-A On the 6th Floor

link: https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/...5OGnRo6lnWn9Lk/CQh32nhGcSzAPEHPknJ3l8/OgvDB4=

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Sept. 21st:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 9am ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 40) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 1st degree murder (with a firearm) & 1st degree robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch.
Trial was set to begin on 9/27/21 continued to 12/6/21. (at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 5/27/21 reference post #58 here:
FL - Christine Franke, 25, UCF student, Orlando, shot in head, 21 Oct 2001 *DNA arrest*
6/1/21 Update: Defense motion to continue trial-granted. Next pretrial conference hearing on 9/14/21 & hearing on 9/21 @ 3:30pm regarding Motion in Limine & trial set to begin on 9/27/21. 8/11/21: Motion to Suppress DNA denied.
9/14/21 Update: Trial continuance-granted. Next hearing on 9/21/21 & pretrial conference hearing on 11/23/21 & trial set to begin on 12/6/21.