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KILLER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

December 11, 2019 -

Frank Stringfellow also gets 50 years for shooting victim's mother 

By Nancy Bergeron / Ruston Daily Leader

A Ruston man who killed his girlfriend in what a district judge described as “a night of terror” inside the victim’s Cotton Street home has been sentenced to life in prison for the crime.

Frank Stringfellow will also serve 50 years in jail for attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of the murder victim Shakena Hampton’s mother, Doris Hampton, and two years behind bars for illegal use of weapons.

Third Judicial District Judge Bruce Hampton handed down the sentences Tuesday. The sentences are to be served consecutively, each at hard labor and without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension, he said.

“ M r. Stringfellow should not be on the streets of Ruston,” Judge Hampton said.

In November, a seven-woman, five-man jury found Stringfellow, 41, guilty of murdering Shakena Hampton and wounding her mother on Aug. 22, 2017.

The incident happened in the home shared by Shakena Hampton, her five children, and Doris Hampton. Shakena Hampton was the mother of two of Stringfellow’s children.

Stringfellow shot Shakena Hampton six times while she was holding her infant son Isaiah. One of the bullets went through Shakena Hampton and lodged in Isaiah’s back. Stringfellow then shot Doris Hampton three times as she lay in bed.

“I don’t believe for one instant that there was any accidental shooting of (Doris Hampton) just because she was in the bed,” Judge Hampton said.

The wounded Shakena Hampton had run into her mother’s bedroom and collapsed beside the bed while Stringfellow continued to shoot.

At least three of ShakenaHampton’schildren saw the carnage or heard the gunfire.

“Even as a judge, I will never forget hearing the heinous narrative of these crimes,” Judge Hampton said prior to sentencing Stringfellow. “These children have suffered enough and I hope that ends today.”

Stringfellow showed no remorse during the trial, nor has he shown any since then, the judge said. He said the shooting were unprovoked, deliberately cruel and apparently grew out of Stringfellow’s anger and “disregard for life.”

The judge commended law enforcement officers for “taking the necessary steps to get a killer off the streets of Lincoln Parish.” Stringfellow was arrested in Grambling about 12 hours after the shootings.

If Stringfellow were not incarcerated he would likely commit other crimes, Judge Hampton said. Stringfellow has as criminal history “as long as both my arms,” the judge said.

Those infractions include several instances of domestic abuse involving Shakena Hampton, including hitting her with a board, as well as scalding the feet of a 3-year-old in a bathtub of hot water because she urinated on a couch, the judge said.

“I see no reasonable expectation for the defendant’s rehabilitation,” he said.

Sixof ShakenaHampton’s family members or friends addressed Stringfellow before the sentencing. All said while he has irreparably harmed his children, the violence has make Shakena Hampton’s family stronger.

Assistant District Attorney Tracy Houck, lead prosecutor in the case, called the sentences “just.”

“The victims deserved justice. They got it in this case,” Houck said.

Houck has filed paperwork seeking to have Stringfellow declared a habitual offender. Habitual offender status can be given any repeat felony offender and generally means longer prison terms.

A hearing will be held Jan. 14 on Houck’s motion.

Lincoln Parish Office

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100 West Texas Ave. 2nd Floor Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 513-6350 Fax: (318) 251-5103

Union Parish Office

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100 East Bayou Street Farmerville, LA 71241 Phone: (318) 368-2201 Fax: (318) 368-3717