HOMELESS VICTIM RECEIVES JUSTICE

Defendant Terry Franklin Convicted in Brutal Murder over $5 Dollar Debt

Atlanta-Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announces the conviction of 30-year-old Terry Franklin, also known as Tariq Franklin, in the brutal stomping death of 37-year-old Kenneth Briddell of Atlanta. Franklin, also of Atlanta, was sentenced to life in prison following his conviction on felony murder and aggravated assault charges.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Charles Webb of the D-A's Major Felony Case Division, successfully prosecuted the case though no official police report had been written and no autopsy was performed in this case.

On July 5, 1998, Franklin encountered Briddell at an Amoco service station at 3260 Bankhead Highway and demanded Briddell pay him $5.00. When the victim protested he didn't have the money, co-defendant Maurice Coleman testified Franklin hit Briddell in the head with the butt of a gun, and stomped, beat and kicked Briddell into unconsciousness. Briddell was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he remained in a vegetative state until his death on October 10, 1998.

Coleman pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2001, and was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Franklin was released on bond twice after his 1998 arrest and failed to show up for trial each time. He was captured by the Fugitive Squad in April 2004 and held in custody until his trial this week. The trial was presided over by Superior Court Judge Stephanie Manis.

CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404-224-0560 (office); 404-533-1381 (pager)