Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is challenging a recent ruling that overturned the murder conviction of William Franklin, who spent 44 years in prison. Franklin, now 77, was convicted in 1980 for a murder that occurred in 1976 in Philadelphia’s Brewerytown neighborhood. According to Franklin’s defense attorney, jailhouse informants falsely testified against him after being provided with drugs and sexual favors by detectives. The defense claims that these incentives led to the wrongful identification of Franklin as the murder suspect.
Judge Tracy Brandeis-Roman of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas recently vacated Franklin’s conviction, citing the recanted testimony of one of the informants, Emmanuel “Manny” Claitt. Claitt, who faced charges in multiple criminal cases, alleged that detectives offered him the opportunity to have sex with one of his girlfriends in a police interrogation room in exchange for his testimony against Franklin. Despite his release from prison, Franklin still faces the murder charge and is currently on house arrest pending a hearing on whether he will be retried or the charge will be dropped.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the District Attorney’s Office is appealing Judge Brandeis-Roman’s decision, contesting the reliability of Claitt’s recanted testimony. A spokesperson for the office clarified that Claitt never recanted his testimony under oath or in court and questioned the motives behind his alleged fear of prosecution. The spokesperson also criticized the source of Claitt’s statement, suggesting that it was written by the attorney of Franklin’s co-defendant. The Appeals Unit of the District Attorney’s Office has filed a notice of appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, further prolonging the resolution of Franklin’s case.
Franklin’s release on March 5 garnered attention as he reunited with his family outside the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia. When asked about seeing his family after decades, Franklin expressed his gratitude but acknowledged that there is still work to be done in advocating for others who remain unjustly incarcerated. The outcome of Thursday’s scheduled hearing in the Court of Common Pleas will depend on the resolution of the District Attorney’s appeal.
In conclusion, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is appealing a judge’s decision to overturn William Franklin’s murder conviction. The appeal highlights the disputed credibility of a recanted testimony that played a significant role in the original conviction. Franklin’s case emphasizes the need for continued efforts in addressing potential wrongful convictions and ensuring justice for all.