Man Convicted of 1993 Chelsea Murder After New DNA Evidence Found

CHELSEA, NY — Prosecutors convicted a man Thursday for the brutal murder of a Chelsea social worker nearly 20 years ago after receiving new DNA evidence, said Manhattan's district attorney.

A New York State Supreme Court jury found Gordon Francis, 60, guilty of the 1993 murder of James Hawkins, a 50-year-old social worker who was stabbed in his Chelsea apartment more than 25 times. Gordon fled Hawkins' apartment leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

Almost two decades later, investigators with the NYPD's Cold Case Squad and the Manhattan District Attorney's office re-examined case evidence with new new techniques brought about by innovations in forensic science, explained the Manhattan district attorney.

“Cold cases should never become forgotten cases,” said District Attorney Cyrus Vance. “As forensic science accelerates forward, law enforcement has new opportunities to ensure that previously unresolved cases are examined with the same care and technology as newer cases.

Goran is expected to be sentenced on July 18.

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