The Lost and the Found

https://www.wapt.com/article/man-sentenced-in-kidnapping-attack/2077745

Man Sentenced In Kidnapping, Attack
JACKSON, Miss. —
5-6 minutes

JACKSON, Miss. —

A Bolton man convicted in a 2009 attack on a woman at his Bolton home has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

In January, a Hinds County jury found Ricky Franklin guilty of kidnapping and aggravated assault in connection with the Nov. 7, 2009 attack on the 21-year-old woman.

The woman told authorities that Franklin **** her twice, beat her with liquor bottles and choked her. Hinds County Sheriff's Department investigators said Franklin tried to bite off the woman's ear.

"You are a clear danger to society and your actions deserve a stiff sentence," Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Jeff Weill told Franklin.

Weill sentenced Franklin to 20 years on the aggravated assault charge and 30 years on the kidnapping charge. The sentences are to run consecutively.

Franklin Testifies In Sentencing Hearing

Franklin testified Thursday that before his arrest, he worked at an RV company, took care of his children and attended church. He said he got into a fistfight with his accuser, but turned himself in to police the next day.

Franklin's mother also testified and described him as a loving father to his 12-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son. She asked Weill to be lenient and to give him another chance.

District Attorney Robert Smith believes Franklin is responsible for at least 10 slayings, but because of a lack of evidence, those cases have not gone forward.

"We have a number of cases that we are looking forward to investigating," Smith said. "Some may go to grand jury and some may not."

Elizabeth Duckworth, who was at Thursday's hearing, said she believes Franklin killed her 19-year-old sister more than 14 years ago. She wouldn't go into detail, but said there is a case pending.

"All I can say is we have a predator off the streets, and he should have been off the streets years ago," Duckworth said. "I thank God there's no young girls out there that can come prey to him.

Sirena Wilson said her cousin's case may be tied to Franklin too. Her 15-year-old cousin Maryanne Bass was killed in 1996. She had been stabbed 87 times and her body was dumped on the street where Franklin lived, Wilson said.

"At least he's off the streets. He's not a danger to society anymore," Wilson said. "I just wish my aunt, Maryanne's mother, had lived to see this day."