(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
A Racine woman who bought the gun that Lawrence Franklin, Jr used to kill his girlfriend and unborn child was charged today with one Felony Count of Straw Purchasing a Firearm. Kaliyah M. Patterson, 22. of Racine, faces 10 years in the Wisconsin Prison System if convicted.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Lawrence G. Franklin, Jr was charged late yesterday, September 9, 2024, with two counts of 1st Degree Intentional Homicide, both as Repeaters and with the Dangerous Weapon Enhancers. Franklin was also charged with Possession of a Firearm By a Felon as a repeater, and four counts of Felony Bail Jumping, all as repeaters. He faces a mandatory minimum of life in prison, but a judge may allow for parole in 20 years.
When Amiah, the victim, arrived at the hospital, doctor’s realized she was 8-months pregnant and performed an emergency c-section, but unfortunately, Honesti didn’t survive.
Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Angelina Gabriele signed a $1.5 Million dollar arrest warrant for Franklin.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
According to police and prosecutors, Patterson was seen on surveillance camera buying the gun the same day from Paddock Lake Sporting Goods and accompanied by Franklin. Surveillance videos confirmed that the defendant provided Patterson with a credit card to purchase the firearm. The firearm, a Glock 19, was recovered near the scene of the double homicide. A trace on the gun revealed it was purchased the same day.
Patterson was located and arrested in Racine the next day and gave a voluntary statement to detectives. She admitted that she bought the gun for Franklin but prosecutors don’t believe she was forthcoming with police. Patterson stated that Franklin asked her to pick him up at some point on the morning of September 6th. Patterson indicated that her and Franklin drove to Paddock Lake sporting goods.
She was the driver. Patterson indicated that Franklin directed her to the store because she didn’t know where it was. Patterson admitted that Franklin picked out the firearm. She filled out the federal firearm purchasing form indicating that she was the purchaser and that she had never been convicted with felony. Patterson admitted that Franklin paid for the purchase. Patterson also stated that Franklin provided her with $200 on her cash app that day. She denied there being a particular reason for Franklin giving her that money.
Patterson indicated that she did not know whether or not Franklin was a felon; however, she stated she knew that he had been arrested for domestic violence or battery related offenses. Patterson stated as she was driving back to Kenosha from Paddock Lake sporting goods, she saw a state trooper. Patterson stated that Franklin told her she didn’t have her CCW license so she couldn’t get caught with the gun so Franklin removed the firearm from the floorboard in front of where he was seated in her vehicle and brought it to the back-cargo area where she was driving.
Patterson admitted dropping Franklin off in the area of Amiah’s residence. Patterson stated that Franklin left right away and she stated that he was acting strange when he left. Patterson was asked where the gun she purchased was, and she stated that it should be in her car. Patterson was challenged on that statement and she then admitted she knew the firearm was not in her car.
She stated that Franklin had taken it and she knew it was in his possession. Patterson had not reported it stolen. Franklin has been convicted multiple times of felonies in state of Wisconsin. Those felony adult criminal convictions are of record and unreversed and are visible to the public online, free of charge, via the Wisconsin Circuit Court Automated Program, commonly referred to as CCAP.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The prosecutor in this case today asked for a “substantial cash bond” stating that Patterson purchased a gun that killed two people the same day.
“Based upon the extreme seriousness of the offense, the state believes that there is a high likelihood of incarceration, which would be a motive for the defendant to not appear in court. So although the defendant does not have a criminal history, I would note that she is still quite young. So not having a criminal history is not necessarily an extremely compelling fact. And I think even in light of that, there is a high likelihood of incarceration, given the facts of this case. Also, it appears the defendant was not entirely honest with law enforcement when she was interviewed in connection with this, and was either trying to protect herself or her family. So I think the seriousness of these circumstances of this charge merit a very high cash bond,” said the Kenosha County Prosecutor. She asked for a $50,000 cash bail.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner William Michel II agreed with the State saying, in part: “The court has great concern. The whole purpose of this type of statute, the straw purchase of a firearm, is so felons and criminals like this can’t get guns. It’s unfortunate, and I do know that Ms. Patterson did give quite a bit of a statement to law enforcement, cooperating with law enforcement, but the nature, how she put this community at risk, the court is going to impose a substantial cash bond. The court is going to follow the state’s recommendation for a $50,000 cash bond.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Patterson is due back in court on September 18, 2024 for a preliminary hearing.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out
When asked about the Kenosha DA’s office going easy on Franklin’s past felony cases, Amiah’s mother, Tamia Prather, told KCE “They’re responsible [for Amiah’s death]…And they need to pay more attention to their cases. I understand they may have a lot of cases. But they need to dig deep and look into the cases before giving bonds. Especially when it’s something violent and when it’s domestic.”
Amiah’s brother Bryan chimed in, saying “And then all his charges escalated higher and higher. Went from domestic to stalking. Like, it’s a pattern. Like, how [couldn’t] they couldn’t catch on to that?”
“And he [is] getting off. Like, the DA just [is just letting Franklin out,” said Tamia Prather. Prather’s family was also upset that Patterson wasn’t charged in some way with the murders. They believe that Patterson played a role in the murders and it wasn’t a coincidence that Amiah was killed the same day the gun was purchased.
22 Responses
Tragically the family of the victims is spot on. The Kenosha DA’s office owns this. When you have soft on crime prosecutors, your community is less safe. This was a double murder that 100% could have been avoided if this poor excuse of a human (Lawrence G. Franklin) was locked up where he belonged. Praying for justice for Amiah, baby Honesti and the entire Prather family.
What happened to the three day waiting period for the gun.
That’s not a thing is Wisconsin, and it makes no difference in states it is imposed in. He premeditated the whole thing, whether she would have had to wait 3 days for him to get that gun from her and then commit murder would have made no difference.
They both need the death penalty in my opinion. Let it be an example that you don’t just face jail and or a fine for lying on your background check form where it asks if you are buying the weapon for someone else.
I just bought a handgun last weekend here in Wisconsin, went in when the store opened, picked out the one I wanted for my conceal carry, submitted my background check, it came back safe in literally 3 minutes, I paid, shook hands, and left the store. That’s all it took for a law abiding citizen that is licensed and a veteran to have what is needed to protect my family from criminals like Franklin, if it comes to that.
Guns aren’t the problem, the process here wasn’t the problem, people are the problem.
Never buy for the other guy.
She forgot she wig at home
Wayyyy too serious of a situation to be making jokes!!!
And then she drove him to the victims house. Im sure the $200 was for her to park around the corner and give his a** a ride. I hope they ping her cell phone and find out and charge her appropriately!
Right now we are hearing one side of the story and I am sure there is more to it, especially when it comes to the youth. Did they do a DNA on the unborn child? It could be his child, If the claim is stalking then at some point the two of them may have been romantically involved. Is there any history of domestic violence between the two of them?
regarding the the gun purchaser, she probably just did a stupid thing, I can’t say if she was involved.
Are you serious?
It wasn’t his baby he was a stalkers and tried strangled her before this and no this wasn’t his damn baby facts
Do us all a favor, and DONT BREED!
Hey SWM. Are you ready for Joel’s reply? Think he’ll post that dumbass video again??? Inquiry minds want to know.
Bahahahahaahahahaaaa and like clockwork here he is…
Hey Straight White Male:
I hope you haven’t reproduced. We all know, due to what you write, that you are a self-loathing closeted homosexual who struggles with your long-standing and deep-seated desire to lay with a man.
Some people believe there is a “gay gene” that that is not bred out of our population because gay people do procreate.
Are you one of these people?
Still waiting for you to join the useful 45% of lgbtp freaks swinging from a doorway. Go ahead chomo, do it. Enjoy the monkeypox faggot
Every time you express your unnatural hatred towards the LBGTQ community you are actually disclosing your long-standing and deep-seated desire to lay with a man. You actually hate yourself because of your desire. You demonstrate that every time you write. That is not healthy.
You need to acknowledge your sexual preference for other men. You will be much happier if you do. I hope you find peace.
https://youtu.be/BirJMnMcfBs?si=QqF1kyXjI1S0W10x
Hey Joel “Chubbs”. How are the meme wars going?
She’s got that “Getting food stamps from Wisconsin and Illinois” look.
N
I
Wow
“… a $1.5 Million dollar arrest warrant …” Either the dollar symbol before the number, OR the word dollar after the number–but not both.