KEY WEST, Fla. – Franklin “Ty” Tucker, accused of involvement in a deadly robbery, has chosen to represent himself at trial. The charges against him include robbery, homicide, aggravated assault, and battery in connection with an incident at a property known as “The Treehouse” that resulted in the death of Matthew Bonnett and injured Paula Belmonte.
According to court documents, Tucker allegedly went to The Treehouse with Rory “Detroit” Wilson to rob Belmonte. The plan was to steal her purse, but the situation escalated into a fight with others at the property. Prosecutors claim that Bonnett interrupted the robbery and was fatally wounded during the struggle.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Tucker and Wilson may have been sent to rob Belmonte as retaliation for a drug debt owed to another individual. Witnesses and evidence tie Wilson to the scene, but a third man, John “Travis” Johnson, told police about Tucker’s involvement. Johnson, who allegedly drove the getaway car, informed authorities that Tucker initiated the robbery after learning Belmonte had a substantial sum of money at The Treehouse.
Tucker, who had been represented by attorneys, filed a motion to represent himself, citing “irreconcilable differences” with his current attorney. Additionally, he accused the judge and prosecution of working against him, claiming in a letter to the judge that he would not receive a fair trial in Monroe County. In a separate trial, Wilson was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole for his role in the robbery and homicide.
The trial date for Tucker is yet to be determined, with the accused expressing a lack of interest in negotiating a plea deal with the state. He believes that the case’s expenses have been excessive and wishes to avoid paying substantial sums of money to resolve it.