Man Who Murdered Partner in Marijuana Supply Biz Sentenced

A convicted felon who killed his cohort in a Corona-based marijuana distribution operation was sentenced Thursday to 80 years to life in prison.

Francisco “Frank” Humberto Real, 42, of Norco was convicted in December of the 2013 slaying of 23-year-old Michael Cheatham.

Following his almost two-week trial, jurors found Real guilty of first- degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentence-enhancing allegations of recklessly discharging a gun, using a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime and inflicting great bodily injury.

• Trial Set for Man Accused of Killing ‘Partner’ in Marijuana Biz

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Irma Asberry imposed the sentence required by law and factored the defendant’s prior felony strike into his penalty.

Real had been scheduled for sentencing on eight prior occasions this year, but the hearings were repeatedly delayed at the request of the defense. The convicted felon changed attorneys following his conviction and petitioned for a new trial, which the judge ultimately denied.

According to Corona police investigators, Cheatham had purchased pot from Real for two years as part of a medical marijuana distribution business.

The defendant described the victim as his “partner” but told police that by the time of the deadly Dec. 18, 2013, confrontation, Cheatham had fallen behind in his payments for the weed, owing between $3,000 and $4,000, police said.

According to trial testimony, Real paid a visit to Cheatham’s two- bedroom apartment at 638 Stoneybrook Drive with the intent of collecting at least part of the debt.

Real later claimed that as he and the victim spoke, a tussle ensued, during which Cheatham struck him from behind, sending the defendant to the floor. He told Detective Dan Bloomfield that he was in a “fight for his life,” fending off numerous blows.

Investigators determined, however, that Real went to the apartment bent on hurting Cheatham, whom a downstairs neighbor heard screaming for help, prompting her to dial 911.

Officers testified that when they arrived and accessed the apartment less than 10 minutes later, the space was a bloody mess, with spatter on the floor and walls.

Cheatham was found lying in the master bedroom, blood-soaked, with a belt buckled tightly around his neck. A .380 semiautomatic handgun was found in his right hand, but detectives said it appeared to have been placed there. Further investigation revealed the handgun was registered to Real’s brother-in- law.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed he had suffered multiple blows to his neck and head.

Officers found Real lying in a nearby room, appearing exhausted but largely unscathed.

According to court records, the defendant has a prior felony conviction for manufacturing an illegal firearm.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock