Man's competency is affirmed by court

WARREN -- Alan M. Francis, charged in the death of a 76-year-old Weathersfield man in November, is competent to stand trial, both the prosecution and defense agreed this week in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. He had undergone a psychiatric evaluation earlier.
Francis, 43, with addresses in Girard and Niles, is charged with the aggravated murder of John P. Crocker of Emerson Avenue. He is accused of shooting, bludgeoning and slashing Crocker in his home Nov. 21.
Francis faces a possible death sentence if convicted. He is in Trumbull County Jail without bond. Francis is also charged with robbery and aggravated robbery for robberies in the days that followed the murder.