My visit with ex-cop Antoinette Franks on death row – Convicted cop killer and serial killer?
For many weeks I have communicated with Antoinette Franks through correspondence and phone calls, and finally scheduled a visit to death row to meet with her in person.
Many of you may have heard of your case, but for those who have not, here is a brief summary of your case and conviction. Antoinette Franks was a New Orleans police officer (now 37 years old) who was convicted of robbing the Kim Anh restaurant in eastern New Orleans while she was a cop on March 4, 1995. Through that robbery, she killed to a policeman named Ronald A. Williams, who worked as a security guard (whom he had previously known and worked with) and two workers who were brothers. She and another man (also convicted and sentenced to death) by the name of Roger La Caze participated in the robbery (Google his name and / or go to wikipedia to see his photo).
Later, after her arrest, an investigation revealed the body of a man buried under her house, believed to be her father, whom she had previously reported missing, therefore … some have tagged her! like a serial killer! She was convicted and sentenced to death on September 12, 1995, and is currently on death row at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel, Louisiana (outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana).
At first she and I thought about the possibility of writing a book together and to my knowledge I was the only journalist / writer she had spoken to in 13 years after many requests from others. The reason he said he contacted me was because he believed that I would “tell” his side of the story accurately. Later, after our visit, we both decided this was impossible, and I’ll tell you why later.
On a cold and rainy day, I arrived at the prison compound and it goes without saying that I had to endure a lot of security measures. Searches, questions and new searches. A person’s background must be thoroughly investigated before he is allowed to see a death row inmate. When I entered Antoinette’s special holding cell, we exchanged compliments and finally got down to business … what would a potential book be about? Our visit lasted a few hours and we covered a lot about his life as well as mine.
Now why couldn’t we write a book together. Antoinette’s position for me was ambivalent. On the one hand, she left me with the impression that this book would be a confession, and she wanted the world (and God) to forgive her, especially the victim’s family. But on the other hand, he steadfastly refuses to give up his appeals! Why did that matter to me, appeals? Why did I ask you about your appeals? Well my position is that if you are guilty before God, why appeal? An appeal in essence keeps saying that you are innocent!
My position was that if you are guilty, admit it (did I mention that there were actually two eyewitnesses to the entire crime and she originally confessed, but later retracted)? And she really believed, based on her many letters, that she had found God and was ready to “clear up”, and that she would write about her repentance. Why else would we write a book?
As many of you know, I was once a rogue cop and surrendered to law enforcement in 2001 because I truly regretted my past and wanted to pay the price and become a citizen of the world again. I regretted not only God, but everything I have hurt over the years.
One may ask, but Robert, she’s on death row, scheduled for a lethal injection, why wouldn’t she appeal? He was also programmed to die! In 1979, when I became a fugitive, I ran because word got out from the Angolan prison (and this was common knowledge) that I would be raped and killed on the first day! A policeman cannot survive in the general prison population, especially in a prison population that contains some prisoners that the policeman placed there!
I was still looking at the same prison time and DEATH after my surrender! And if for some reason they put me in solitary confinement, I still had to do what’s called a direct 30.
Doing the math, 30 years “without” letters, at 45 years, means that I am 75 at the time of liberation (if I am alive after 30 years). That’s one type of death, and some would even argue that death is essentially better than life in prison (30 long years). If it weren’t for my faith in God and my desire to repent, I think the judge would have given me that time. And for me that is the key to freedom … repent before God, apologize to your victim (s) and remain crime free. You do not believe in God? Okay, it’s your right, so apologize to your victim and stay crime free.
However, after a few weeks after our visit, I can understand her fear. She’s stuck in a problem 22: admit you’re guilty, withdraw your appeals, and possibly get killed much sooner. The other drawback is exhausting your appeals (average time of 12 to 15 years of appeals) and extending your life span, if you call it sitting in a cell living.
What did I get out of that visit, the many letters and meeting Antoinette?
I am thankful that the Lord finally gave me the strength not to fear death or 30 years, and gave me faith to know that He is real. I am happy that I obeyed His command to surrender … first to Him and then to law enforcement! My admonition … please don’t hurt others!
(Please note: this author donates the proceeds from his book COP OUT to various women and child abuse organizations!)
