Jury finds California man guilty of murder and attempted murder of Polson officer

It took a Lake County jury two and a half hours to find a California man guilty of murder and attempted murder. Cameron Francis, 50, was charged with deliberate homicide and attempted deliberate homicide for the shooting death of his girlfriend and for firing multiple rounds at a Polson police officer.

According to charging documents, the charges stem from an incident late on the night of Feb. 14, 2025. Francis allegedly fired 20 rounds from an assault rifle at a Polson police officer's patrol car before he fled and fired seven more rounds at him. The rounds showered the officer with broken glass. 

Police apprehended Francis within an hour in the Elmo area, where he surrendered. The following Sunday, a request for a welfare check on Francis’s girlfriend was called in, leading police to her Polson residence and her dead body. Lake County Attorney James Lapotka explained in charging documents that she died from a single gunshot to the face. Shell casings at both scenes matched an assault rifle found in the Honda Accord that Francis was driving.

The trial began with jury selection on Oct. 23 and opening arguments on Oct. 26. Much of the state’s case relied on the detective’s handling or processing of evidence gathered from the girlfriends residence and her car, the Honda Accord. Lapokta also had forensic analysts with the state medical examiner’s office testify about ballistics and firearms residue.

Joan Burbridge and David Carter of the Montana Public Defender's Office represented Francis. Burbidge requested a directed verdict after the state finished presenting it’s case, saying the state didn’t prove its case. She asked the judge to dismiss the charges. 

The judge felt otherwise. Francis took the stand on his own defense and stated the rifle accidentally fired when he bumped the trigger with his thumb. It was also revealed at trial that on the night she was murdered, she had suffered a compound fracture to one of her lower arms. Francis claimed that he was helping her get up from a couch when she pulled on him, causing him to trip on her crutches. 

She had suffered a torn meniscus in her knee and brought Francis up from California to help her. Francis stated they fell when he was helping her off the couch, which caused her fractured arm. He said he didn’t drive her to the hospital because he had been drinking. He stated he didn’t remember firing 27 rounds at Wharton’s patrol car. 

Lake County Attorney James Lapotka prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. Lapotka issued a statement after the trial stating, “We’re very pleased with the verdict and glad to get justice for the family and officer. And I’d like to thank the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Polson Police Department and Department of Justice forensic division for their excellent work on this case. And the jury for their time and diligence on this difficult case.”

The Honorable John Mercer presided over the case and set sentencing for Dec. 10. Francis could be facing life in prison.