Pretrial motions got underway Tuesday ahead of jury selection for the trial of three of four men accused of gunning down a 78-year-old Winchester resident during a home invasion robbery.
Clifford John Franken, 54, of Hemet, Matthew Patrick Fromer, 52, of Menifee, and Kevin Richard Hirsch, 47, of Menifee allegedly murdered Robert Bettencourt in 2023.
They’re all charged with first-degree murder, robbery, burglary and special-circumstance allegations of killing in the course of a robbery and killing in the commission of a burglary.
Joseph Michael Salvati, 34, of Hemet is charged identically. However, that defendant, who is representing himself, is slated to be tried separately next month.
All of the men are being held without bail. Franken and Fromer are jailed at the Byrd Detention Center, while Hirsch is at the Robert Presley Jail, and Salvati at the Smith Correctional Facility.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Stephen Gallon ruled on motions from the prosecution and defense Tuesday connected to evidence, witnesses, jury instructions and scheduling. Gallon ordered multiple panels of prospective jurors to the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta on Thursday for screening as to their availability and qualifications. The process is expected to continue into next week, possibly longer.
According to Sgt. Ed Baeza of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and court documents, the men allegedly forced their way into Bettencourt’s house in the 28000 block of Whitaker Street, near Grand Avenue, sometime on March 3, 2023, assaulting and ultimately shooting the senior to death.
The criminal complaint alleges Hirsch was the triggerman.
The victim’s fate remained unknown for three days, until loved ones contacted sheriff’s officials after unsuccessful attempts to reach him, prompting deputies to conduct a check, Baeza said.
Bettencourt’s body was discovered inside the house, where indications of a struggle and forced entry were evident, according to investigators.
Over the ensuing two months, Central Homicide Unit detectives developed leads that ultimately pointed to the defendants as the alleged perpetrators, though specific details regarding the investigation weren’t provided, including what led them to allegedly target the victim.
Court documents show Franken has a prior conviction for vehicle theft, while Fromer has a prior felony for driving under the influence of drugs, and Hirsch has two priors in another jurisdiction that weren’t listed.
Salvati has priors in Riverside County for carjacking and felony evading.