Marvin Francois was born on January 18, 1946. He endured a challenging and impoverished upbringing. His parents were not married, and his father was a heroin addict who brought other addicts into their home, exposing young Francois to drug use and violence. His father also physically abused him, especially when he refused to fight with other children.

Francois's mother was a sex worker who provided little support or care for him. After she remarried, his stepfather continued the cycle of abuse. Despite these hardships, Francois managed to obtain his General Educational Development (GED) certificate, although he did not complete formal schooling.

On July 27, 1977, Marvin Francois participated in a brutal mass murder in Carol City, Florida, alongside John Errol Ferguson and Beauford White. The trio targeted the home of Livingston Stocker, a small-time marijuana dealer. Posing as a utility worker, Ferguson gained entry to the house, followed by Francois and White.

Once inside, they tied up and blindfolded the occupants, searching for drugs and money. Over time, more individuals arrived at the house, all of whom were similarly restrained. During the ordeal, Francois's mask slipped off, revealing his identity. To eliminate witnesses, the assailants decided to execute the captives.

Francois used a shotgun to systematically shoot six victims in the head. Two individuals, Margaret Wooden and Johnnie Hall, survived the attack and later testified against the perpetrators. Francois was arrested on September 2, 1977, while already in custody for unrelated shoplifting charges.

He was convicted on six counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and three counts of robbery. On April 24, 1978, he was sentenced to death. Francois was executed in Florida's electric chair on May 29, 1985.