On January 7, 1979 along with (2) two friends, I was arrested for armed robbery and aggravated assault. Ten days later, got caught up in an escape plan that went awry. I caused the death of an innocent man. I was completely at fault and in the wrong, but hurting anyone was totally unintended. Cobb County was extremely embarrassed by the escape, so by rushing the trial and using double talk, the district attorney was able to overshadow the known mitigating factors. I was convicted of kidnapping and malice murder and was sentenced to death. I spent over (5) five years on Death Row before the US Supreme Court agreed that intent had not been proven. I was retried in 1985 and because of the mitigating factors; I was given a life sentence with a possibility of parole. I have been in prison for (30) thirty years now. I have made a concentrated effort to mature from the irresponsible young man I was, into a personification of rehabilitation. I've educated myself and completed every class and program made available to me. The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Parole recommended me to the work release program. I worked in society at a moving company and completed the program with glowing reviews and recommendations... I was granted parole and a release date was set, but was cancelled because of some extremely dirty tactics perpetrated by the Cobb County District Attorney.

He has taken the armed robbery and aggravated assault charges that were dead-docketed back in 1979 and presented them to the Parole Board as new information, as a ploy to block my release on parole. The Facts and the evidence of these charges were used as aggravating factors during the murder trial.

There are numerous due process of law violations involved in bringing these charges (30) thirty years later. There is conspiracy that he has admitted to in newspaper articles and in open court. A possible separation of powers issue in misleading the Parole Board and there is no doubt of vindictive prosecution.

A motion to dismiss for denial of speedy trial/plea in bar double jeopardy was filed. The Superior Court denied the matter and it is being appealed. Unfortunately my attorney's office is in Cobb County and it seems he is limited as to what he is willing to do. His one motion has been drawn out for over (3) three years. Every delay trick has been used.

This is a very unique situation that has political undercurrents and a blatant abuse of power. There is no legal way that these charges can stand (30) years later. The District Attorney knows this and is only using them as a ploy to manipulate the system to block my parole for as long as possible.

When an unscrupulous District Attorney uses dirty tactics and knowingly violates a person's constitutional rights, who can one turn to for help? When one of them targets rich kids, famous people, Senators, or a class of people for publicity or political purposes, somehow the news programs and watchdog organizations cry "Foul" and the offending District Attorney gets fired or even disbarred. Unfortunately, when an unscrupulous District Attorney targets a lowly individual, or worse yet, a person who has already been convicted for a crime, he gets away with it! I know it's hard to have compassion for a convicted felon, much less a convicted murderer. But nobody seems to remember that it is on them and those that can't defend themselves that first suffer from the abuse of power. If not stopped at these lowest levels abuse will continue to grow and spread.

I need someone, a lawyer, or some organizations that can neutralize the political pressures involved and/or help me:
• File a Civil rights lawsuit
• Investigate and research other possibilities
• Contact the Parole Board for me
• Give me other suggestions and advise

I have complete details, newspaper articles and documents available upon request.

Sincerely,
-Raymond Franklin

Write to me at:

Raymond Lee Franklin
#46408 / F-2-246B
Wilcox State Prison
PO Box 397
Abbeville, GA 31001

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