A 26-year-old Kenosha man made his initial court appearance after allegedly murdering a woman and her unborn child on September 6, 2024. He was captured in Texas on November 11, 2024 in Plano, Texas by the United States Marshal Service after a 66-day manhunt. A court commissioner set bail at $2 Million cash.

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A then-25-year-old Lawrence G. Franklin, Jr. was charged on 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.

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The Indicent

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On September 6, 2024 at approximately 4:29 pm, Kenosha Police Officers responded to a shooting that had occurred in the area of 12th Ave. and 65th St. The female caller who reported the shooting was sobbing on the phone saying someone shot “her sister” in the head. The female caller was identified.

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Sgt. Barriere of the Kenosha Police Department arrived to the scene of the shooting first. Sgt. Barriere observed a silver GMC Acadia that was later found to be registered to Amiah Prather. Upon approaching the vehicle, Sgt. Barriere observed a woman, who was later identified as Amiah, slumped over the driver’s seat towards the front passenger seat. Amiah was unconscious and Sgt. Barriere observed a large amount of blood. Sgt. Barriere observed a gunshot wound to the right side of Amiah’s head. Sgt. Barriere, a military veteran, attempted live saving efforts and Amiah was transported by rescue to Froedtert South Pleasant Prairie hospital. During the course of Amiah’s treatment there it was determined that Amiah was approximately 8 months pregnant. An emergency C-section was performed. Amiah’s unborn baby, who she had named Honesti, did not survive and was pronounced deceased at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie hospital.

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Amiah was taken by Flight for Life to Froedtert Milwaukee. Information from the Kenosha Medical Examiner’s Office indicates that Amiah was pronounced deceased at the Froedtert Milwaukee ER. Based on a CT scan it appears that the bullet entered Amiah’s right temporal lobe with a path through her brain and an exit of her left temporal lobe. Amiah suffered multiple facial fractures and a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Amiah’s sister, who called 9-1-1 was on scene to answer questions from police. She stated that the person who shot Amiah was Lawrence Franklin, her on-again, off-again boyfriend of several years. Amiah’s sister told police that Franklin had been drinking and the three of them were spending the day together and Amiah and Franklin were arguing for most of the day.

Amiah’s sister stated that they were all in Amiah’s silver GMC Acadia to go and get food. Amiah’s sister was in the front passenger seat. Franklin was sitting behind Amiah who was driving.

Amiah’s sister stated that prior to leaving a male who she did not know was outside and told Amiah she was cute. Amiah’s sister said that angered Franklin who said he was going to go do something and began walking towards the male, but then came back. Amiah’s sister stated that they then drove away southbound. Amiah’s sister said she had her headphones in. Amiah’s sister stated that they stopped at about 65th Street and 12th Avenue when she took her headphones out and she heard Amiah say that if Franklin was not going to pay for her food then he should get out of the car.

Amiah’s sister stated that she saw Franklin rolling down the back window and thought he was going to reach his arm out the window so he could open the door to get out. Amiah’s sister stated that she then heard a loud nose and saw smoke. Amiah’s sister stated that her ears were ringing. When Amiah’s sister looked over, Amiah was slumped over with blood coming out of her head. Amiah’s sister indicated that she assumed Amiah had been shot. Amiah’s sister stated that she did not see Franklin with a gun and she did not see him shoot Amiah, but there was no one else in the car with her and Amiah. Amiah’s sister stated that she exited the vehicle and ran, fearing for her life. Amiah’s sister was able to get to a nearby house and call 911.

There were nearby witnesses who saw the shooting, and Franklin running away from the car. Franklin was also on video from witnesses and nearby businesses and homes. A bottle of Remy Martin and a gun were located. Police learned that the gun was purchased the same day from Paddock Lake Sporting Goods by a woman named Kaliyah Patterson. Surveillance videos showed that Franklin was with her when she bought the gun. The video also confirmed that the defendant provided Kaliyah with a credit card to purchase the firearm.

An officer spoke to Nimah Franklin, the defendant’s sister. She had come to the scene of the shooting because she spoke to her mother, who said she received a phone call from Franklin who said, “You’ll never see me again.”

On November 22, 2024, a Kenosha Police spokesperson Lt. Josh Hecker said “we are pleased to announce that Lawrence G Franklin was arrested on 11-21-24 in Plano, Texas, by the United States Marshal Service’s Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force with the assistance of the Plano Police Department.”

“The Kenosha Police appreciates all of the assistance provided by the US Marshal Service and the support provided by the Plano Police Department. Franklin will attend an extradition hearing in Texas before being transported back to Kenosha. This case, like many others, relied on hard work and a team approach. That team included many law enforcement officers from various departments, citizens, business owners, and many others,” Hecker added.

In court today, Franklin kept looking back at the gallery and seemingly tried to intimidate and antagonize Prather’s family, even at 5’2″ and 105 pounds. He appeared no larger than a toddler. A deputy had to sternly tell Franklin several times to “look forward!”

In court today for the prosecution was Kenosha County Deputy District Appointee Drew Burgoyne.

“In this case, there are two deceased victims, Amiah Pranther and Honesti Pranther, I’m recommending a $2 Million cash bond. These are both especially vulnerable victims. Ms. Amiah Pranther was subject to the protection of a bond. It did not protect her, but the defendant was ordered by court to have no contact with her.

He was out on bond. He knew that condition. Honesti Pranther (deceased baby) was obviously completely vulnerable and helpless in this situation, and had no ability to do anything about the defendant’s malicious criminal acts in this occasion.

The defendant, after committing these offenses, went on a flight pattern. He left. He informed his mother that she would never see him again. There was an extensive law enforcement manhunt extending between a number of jurisdictions. I’m aware a number of search warrants and subpoenas are being issued to try and use digital means to locate him and apprehend him. He was finally located in the state of Texas.“

Amiah’s mother spoke today in court pursuant to Marsy’s law and said “Give him the highest bond possible. I don’t want him out of prison. I don’t want him out of jail. He deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail. I want him to have the highest bond possible. $3 million, $4 million, $5 million. Thank you.”

Franklin’s criminal defense attorney, Elizabeth Ellsworth Kasch asked for a lower bail saying “We’d simply like to ask for a more reasonable cash bond. We understand that this is a very serious case, and we’d simply ask for a $750,000 cash bond.”

“Mr. Franklin’s accused of causing some severe injuries to Amiah, and now she’s dead. So, for those reasons, I will grant the state’s request for $2 million cash,” ordered Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Donald Bielski.

Bielski ordered $1.5 Million on the homicide case, and $250,000 on each of the other cases for a total of $2 Million.

Franklin, was already wanted during the commission of the murder. He had two active felony warrants for many felony and misdemeanor counts of violence towards Prather. Franklin participated in the riots in Kenosha of 2020. Law Enforcement arrested him for a curfew violation, but DA Graveley declined to charge him and he was released.

Here is a small portion of his arrest and conviction history:

Felony(s) of unknown type as Juvenile (Guilty)
Carry Concealed Weapon (Dismissed)
Possess Firearm – Adjudicated Felony Delinquent (Guilty) (Racine Judge – 3 Years Prison)
Possess Dangerous Weapon – Person Under 18 (Dismissed)
Felony Theft of Movable Property from Corpse (Guilty) (Judge Wagner (D) – Probation)
Felony Bail Jumping (Dismissed)
Felony Bail Jumping (Guilty) (Racine Judge – Concurrent Jail, Which Means No Punishment)
Resisting or Obstructing an Officer as Repeater (Dismissed)
Felony Strangulation and Suffocation as a Repeater (Pending)
Felony Bail Jumping
Domestic Battery as a Repeater (Pending)
Domestic Disorderly Conduct as a Repeater (Pending)
Felony Intimidate Victim/Domestic Abuse, as a Repeater (Pending)
Domestic Battery, as a Repeater (Pending)
Domestic Disorderly Conduct, as a Repeater (Pending)
Contact after Domestic Abuse Arrest, as a Repeater (Pending)
Stalking (DA Refused to Prosecute)
Disorderly Conduct (DA Refused to Prosecute)
Battery (DA Refused to Prosecute)

A Racine woman and friend of Franklin allegedly bought the gun that he used to kill Prather and unborn child. Kaliyah M. Patterson, 22, was charged on September 11, 2024 with one Felony Count of Straw Purchasing a Firearm. Patterson faces 10 years in the Wisconsin Prison System if convicted.

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.

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.

Amiah’s family wants KCE to tell our readers that Franklin wasn’t Amiah’s boyfriend and the unborn baby was not Franklin’s.

Milwaukee Sexual Assault Case

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While on the run, two serious child sexual assault charges filed in Milwaukee County against Franklin. Today that warrant remains in effect. The Milwaukee County warrant has no monetary amount associated with it.

According to the criminal complaint:

On August 12, 2024, Officers responded to St. Joseph’s hospital for a sexual assault complaint. Upon arrival, Officers spoke with the 12-year-old victim of a sexual assault. She stated that she lives on Granville Road in Milwaukee. She stated that on August 11, 2024, at approximately 10:15 p.m., she was in the hallway of her apartment building on her phone when Lawrence Franklin walked past her and grabbed her phone out of her hands. She stated that Franklin then entered apartment #12. She stated that she opened the front door of the apartment to try to get her phone back, and located Franklin in a bedroom inside that apartment. She stated that when she entered the bedroom, Franklin was behind the bedroom door. She stated that Franklin closed the door behind her, pinned her to the floor between the bed and the closet, and pulled down her pants. She stated that Franklin then put his penis inside of her “hole.” She stated that Franklin stopped assaulting her when her mother called her cell phone at 10:25 p.m. She stated that she left the apartment returned to her apartment.

Officers responded to Granville Road in Milwaukee, and spoke with a woman who lives in the unit where the 12-year-old victim was alleged to have been raped. She stated that Franklin is her son, and he lives in the unit with her approximately 2 nights a week. Franklin’s mother stated that Franklin was at the apartment on August 11, 2024, but left the location at some point prior to Officers arrival.

On August 12, 2024, Detectives assembled a photo array, and presented it to the victim. Upon viewing the photo array, she identified Franklin as the individual who sexually assaulted her. On August 16, 2024, a Forensic Interviewer conducted a forensic interview with the victim. After demonstrating knowing the difference between a truth and a lie, and promising to tell the truth, she stated that Franklin took her phone from her and walked into apartment #12. She stated that she walked into apartment #12, and entered a bedroom, which was the only room with an open door inside the apartment. She stated that, upon entering the bedroom, Franklin shut the bedroom door, pulled both his and her pants down, and put his penis inside of her vagina. She stated that she felt a sharp pain when Franklin first put his penis inside of her vagina.

Franklin was charged with First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child (Sexual Intercourse, Child Under 12 Years of Age) and Child Enticement. Franklin faces a maximum of 85 years in prison and a minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted just for the Milwaukee County charges.

Here is a video of today’s hearing: