Police today released footage of the last moments of a York father after his murderer was sentenced to life in prison.
Ian Franklin was found guilty at Leeds Crown Court on 2 April of murdering father and boxer Greg Marshall following a frenzied knife attack on the Bell Farm Estate.
Today (Monday) a judge told Franklin he would serve a minimum term of 21 years before being eligible for parole.
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And North Yorkshire Police released chilling footage which shows the moments after 35-year-old Gregory Marshall was fatally stabbed in the neck and chest in York on 17 August last year, before collapsing in a nearby alleyway.
Franklin, 33, of Roche Avenue, Bell Farm, was convicted after an eight-week trial.
He denied murdering Mr Marshall and claimed he acted in self-defence, but the jury didn’t believe him.
Judge Robin Mairs told Franklin that his murderous act had robbed Mr Marshall’s family of a “devoted father” who was also a “loving and much-loved husband”.
Mr Mairs cited the “devastation” and “tragic consequences” caused to Mr Marshall’s family and his wife Michelle whose “grief fills her days and haunts her sleep”.
The court heard how Franklin and his partner owed a debt of approximately £1,000 to Jason Rhodes, which had been outstanding for nearly a year.
In the early hours of 17 August, Mr Marshall and his friend Rhodes attended Franklin’s home on Roche Avenue, to buy drugs from him.
Rhodes arrived armed with a multi-tool with an axe head in his pocket where an altercation then took place between the group on the street.
Mr Marshall and Rhodes left the area before returning a short time later where the disorder between the group continued.
After leaving the area once again, CCTV footage later showed Rhodes returning to the scene while Mr Marshall remained just around the corner but still in sight of the garden.
Franklin and his partner confronted Rhodes, and Mr Marshall went to assist. It was during the altercation that Franklin fatally stabbed Mr Marshall in the neck and chest.
The court heard how Mr Marshall ran from the scene, followed by Rhodes. Franklin and his partner chased both men, and Franklin stabbed Rhodes with a bladed weapon, injuring him in the shoulder.
Mr Marshall eventually realised he had been stabbed and told Rhodes he needed an ambulance.
CCTV evidence presented to the court showed him collapsing shortly after in a nearby alleyway and he was pronounced dead at hospital.
Franklin fled the scene but was arrested 16 hours later on suspicion of murder by armed officers. Rhodes was taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries and was arrested whilst there.
Before sentencing Franklin, judge Mr Mairs told him: “I’m satisfied there was an intention to kill, not merely to cause serious harm. You (then) hid and left the scene without any regard for the dying and wounded – even your partner.”
He described the attack as a “repeated and determined” stabbing, after which Franklin had acted with “selfish callousness and forensic awareness” by running off, changing his clothes and hiding the knife.
Mr Mairs rejected Franklin’s claim that Rhodes had “passed on” the drug debt to Mr Marshall and said there was no evidence to suggest that the victim had sent Franklin threatening messages about this debt before the fatal stabbing.
‘A brutal and senseless crime’
North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team carried out the murder enquiry, which involved more than 300 exhibits, nearly 200 statements, 100 clips of CCTV and body-worn video, and detailed analysis of footage by video and audio forensic experts.
Franklin was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
A second man, Jason Daniel Rhodes 33, of Union Terrace, York was found not guilty of being in possession of an offensive weapon following a trial.
He had pleaded guilty to affray and being in possession of an offensive weapon at an earlier hearing. Rhodes was sentenced to 55 weeks’ imprisonment.
Lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Rebecca Prentice said: “This has been a very complex investigation, with many challenges in understanding the motives and circumstances that led to Mr Marshall’s tragic death.
“Justice has been served with today’s verdict and our thoughts remain with Mr Marshall’s family and loved ones. This was a brutal and senseless crime, and I hope the outcome provides some measure of closer closure for those affected.
“Keeping the streets of North Yorkshire and the City of York safe and free from violence is our absolute priority. We are committed to ensuring those who pose a danger to our communities are brought to justice, and this case demonstrates our determination to do exactly that.”