A Hemet man has been convicted of first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of a Winchester resident during a home invasion motivated by a stash of rare coins.
A jury on Tuesday, March 18, found Clifford John Franken, 54, guilty of murder, robbery, burglary, and special-circumstance allegations of murdering during the course of a robbery and burglary, according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
Franken was tried at the Southwest Justice Center in French Valley. His sentencing hearing is set for May 30 before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Stephen Gallon.
Prosecutors said Franken was one of four men who conspired to rob 78-year-old Robert Bettencourt after learning he kept a large collection of rare coins and firearms in his double-wide trailer. Bettencourt was fatally shot during the break-in.
Franken’s three co-defendants are being prosecuted separately. Kevin Richard Hirsch, 47, of Menifee, reached a plea agreement last month. He admitted to murder, burglary, robbery and a special circumstance allegation related to burglary. A separate special-circumstance allegation for robbery was dropped as part of the deal. Hirsch is scheduled for sentencing on May 23.
Matthew Patrick Fromer, 52, also of Menifee, is currently on trial. Prosecutors are still presenting witnesses in his case. He faces the same charges as Franken.
The fourth suspect, Joseph Michael Salvati, 34, of Hemet, is scheduled to stand trial later this month.
