Murder trial for death of 16 year-old rescheduled for November
NORWICH – The husband and wife accused of killing their adopted, 16-year-old child have had their jury murder trial postponed until November, reported the Chenango County Court.
Ernest Franklin II, 36, and Heather Franklin, 34, both of Guilford, are accused of committing second-degree murder, a class A felony.
Prosecution and Chenango County Sheriff’s Detective John Fern said the two watched a movie called “Manchester by the Sea,” prior to the murder. In the movie the main character accidentally burns down his home and kills his children without being charged by police.
Police believe the Franklins worked together to murder their disabled son, Jeffrey, and set fire to their home after watching the movie.
According to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, Jeffrey was a special needs child adopted by the Franklins over seven years ago.
The Chenango County Court determined the need for a new trial date after the defense counsel told the court about an expert witness they intended to call to the stand without previous disclosure.
The court said the trial has been rescheduled for November.
“It is difficult, especially when you are on the outside looking in. Many, many people are asking themselves ‘how could this ever happen?’” said Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting Jr. “Unfortunately, circumstance reached the point where his death was caused. And they used the fire to cover that death up.”
Officials say they received a 911 call around 1:15 a.m. on March 1, at the family’s home in the Town of Guilford. When emergency responders arrived at the scene the couple’s son, 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin, was found dead inside.
Court records state the sheriff’s office believes Jeffrey was killed in the evening hours of Feb. 28, 2017.
Sheriff Cutting said an autopsy determined the fire didn’t cause the teen’s death and that he was dead before the fire started.
Ernest Franklin II, 36, and Heather Franklin, 34, both of Guilford, are accused of committing second-degree murder, a class A felony.
Prosecution and Chenango County Sheriff’s Detective John Fern said the two watched a movie called “Manchester by the Sea,” prior to the murder. In the movie the main character accidentally burns down his home and kills his children without being charged by police.
Police believe the Franklins worked together to murder their disabled son, Jeffrey, and set fire to their home after watching the movie.
According to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, Jeffrey was a special needs child adopted by the Franklins over seven years ago.
The Chenango County Court determined the need for a new trial date after the defense counsel told the court about an expert witness they intended to call to the stand without previous disclosure.
The court said the trial has been rescheduled for November.
“It is difficult, especially when you are on the outside looking in. Many, many people are asking themselves ‘how could this ever happen?’” said Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting Jr. “Unfortunately, circumstance reached the point where his death was caused. And they used the fire to cover that death up.”
Officials say they received a 911 call around 1:15 a.m. on March 1, at the family’s home in the Town of Guilford. When emergency responders arrived at the scene the couple’s son, 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin, was found dead inside.
Court records state the sheriff’s office believes Jeffrey was killed in the evening hours of Feb. 28, 2017.
Sheriff Cutting said an autopsy determined the fire didn’t cause the teen’s death and that he was dead before the fire started.
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