Trial Set for Man Accused of Killing 'Partner' in Marijuana Biz

An Oct. 6 trial date was set Friday for a convicted felon accused of killing his cohort in a Corona-based marijuana distribution operation.

Francisco “Frank” Humberto Real, 41, of Norco could face 30 years to life in prison if convicted in the slaying of 23-year-old Michael Cheatham last December.

Real is charged with first-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentence-enhancing allegations of recklessly discharging a gun and using a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime.

During a status hearing before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Helios Hernandez, the prosecution and defense signaled they would be prepared to move forward with a trial the first week of October. Hernandez scheduled an intervening hearing for Sept. 26 to make sure both sides are on track.

Real remains held in lieu of $1 million bail at the downtown Riverside jail.

According to 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 confrontation last Dec. 18, Cheatham had fallen behind in his payments for the cannabis, owing between $3,000 and $4,000.

Corona police Detective Dan Bloomfield testified at a preliminary hearing in May that 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.

Bloomfield said that during the encounter, Real and Cheatham went into the latter’s office, where a confrontation ensued. Real told authorities that Cheatham struck him from behind, sending the defendant to the floor.

“Frank told me that he was in a fight for his life,” Bloomfield testified. “He said Mike grabbed a gun and tried to shoot him, grabbed a skateboard and tried to hit him, grabbed a steak knife and came at him. Each time, Frank said he was able to get the things away from him.”

The defendant also told investigators he became “enraged” during the altercation and “blacked out,” forgetting much of what happened.

A downstairs neighbor heard the commotion and also heard a man shouting, “Help me! Help me!” at which point she dialed 911, according to testimony.

Officers testified that when they arrived and accessed the apartment less than 10 minutes later, the space was a bloody mess, with smears on the hallway walls and pools of blood in two rooms.

Cheatham was found lying in the master bedroom, blood-soaked, with a belt buckled tightly around his neck, according to testimony.

A .380 semiautomatic handgun was found in his right hand, but detectives said it appeared to have been placed there. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed he suffered multiple blunt force traumas to his neck and head.

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

Bloomfield testified the handgun had been fired twice. Further investigation revealed it was registered to Real’s brother-in-law.

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

— City News Service.