For many weeks I have communicated with Antoinette Franks through correspondence and phone calls, finally scheduling a visit to death row to meet her in person.
Many of you may have heard of his case, but for those who have not, here is a brief synopsis of his 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 East New Orleans, while a police officer, on March 4, 1995. Through that robbery, she killed a policeman named Ronald A. Williams, who worked as a security guard (whom he predictably knew 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 were involved in the robbery (google her name and/or go to wikipedia to see her 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 reported missing, therefore…some have labeled her a a serial killer! She was convicted and sentenced to death on September 12, 1995, and is currently on death row at the Louisiana Correctional Institution for Women, in St. Gabriel, Louisiana (just outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana).
She and I initially considered writing a book together and to my knowledge I was the only journalist/writer she spoke to in 13 years after many requests from others. The reason she told me that she contacted me was because she believed I would “tell” her version of her story accurately. Later, after our visit, we both decided that this was impossible, and I’ll tell you why later.
On a cold and rainy day I arrived at the prison compound and needless to say, I had to endure many security measures. Searches, questions and re-searches. One’s background must be investigated in detail before one is allowed to see a prisoner on death row. When I walked into Antoinette’s special holding cell, we exchanged pleasantries and finally got down to business… what a potential book would be about. Our visit lasted a few hours and we covered a lot about his life as well as my life.
Now to why we couldn’t 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, she adamantly refuses to give up her appeals! Why did I care about that, her appeals? Why did I ask about her appeals? Well, my position is if you are guilty before God, why appeal? In essence, an appeal still asserts 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 recanted?). And I really believed, based on her many letters, that she found God and that she was ready to “confess”, and that I would write about her repentance. Why else would we write a book?
As many of you know, I was once a rogue cop and turned myself in 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 repented not only to God, but to everything I have hurt over the years.
One may ask, but Robert, she is on death row, scheduled for a lethal injection, why wouldn’t she appeal? I was programmed to die too! In 1979, when I became a fugitive, I ran because word got out in prison in Angola (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 in my surrender! And if for some reason I was put in solitary confinement, I still had to do what’s called a straight 30.
Do the math, 30 years “without” parole, at age 45, means I’m 75 at the time of release (if I’m alive after age 30). That’s one kind of death, and some would even argue that death is better than essentially life in prison (30 long years). If it weren’t for my belief in God and my desire to repent, I think the judge would have given me that time. And to me that is the key to freedom… to repent before God, apologize to your victim(s) and remain crime free. You do not believe in God? Okay, it’s his right, then apologize to your victim and stay crime free!
However, a few weeks after our visit, I can understand his fear. She is caught in Trap 22: admit she is guilty, drop her appeals, and possibly receive death much sooner. The other trap is exhausting her appeals (average time of 12 to 15 years of appeals) and extending her lifetime, if she calls sitting in a cell.
What did I get from that visit, from the many letters and from meeting Antoinette?
I am thankful that the Lord finally gave me the strength not to fear death or age 30, and gave me the faith to know that He is real. I am happy that I was obedient to his command to surrender…first to Him and then to law enforcement! My warning… please don’t hurt others!
(Please note: This author donates proceeds from his COP OUT book to various women and child abuse organizations!)
