Rex Farrance Murder

(Pittsburg, California) In January 2007, a senior editor for PC World magazine, Rex Farrance, 59, was murdered in his home by a gunshot wound to the chest during a home invasion. His wife of 21 years, Lenore Vantosh-Farrance, was pistol whipped before three intruders left.

At the time, investigators speculated the crimes were drug-related since the Farrance home housed a marijuana farm ran by the 19-year-old son, who had a valid medical marijuana license.

Yesterday, charges were filed against three suspects, all three of which are in custody on unrelated charges.

Tremaine Cleothius Amos, 25, of Bay Point, and Darryl Westley Hudson, 23, and Montrell Hall, 23, both of Pittsburg, were charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, two counts of robbery and one count of burglary, said Pittsburg police Lt. Brian Addington. The three men are in custody and could face the death penalty if convicted.

During the attack, the intruders stole marijuana and weapons. By tracing the weapons and through ballistics tests, investigators were able to identify the suspects.

Kudos to the law enforcers on this case. However, one question does arise. How can a 19-year-old minor, who is prohibited from imbibing in alcohol, obtain a license to farm, harvest, process, package, distribute and use marijuana? Since a person has to be 21 years old to drink a beer, it would seem prudent to have an age requirement associated with being a big-time medical dope dealer.