THANKS!!!!!!!

This guy is really stupid or very arrogant. I vote for both.

   
 
Nailah Franklin Killer To Represent Himself

 
CHICAGO (WBBM)  -- Reginald Potts, the man accused with killing Nailah Franklin, was in court Friday representing himself on charges. Potts, 31, could face the death penalty if convicted of murdering Franklin, 28.

Police say Potts is a suspect in Franklin's death because on the day she disappeared Potts gave one story to police, but the satellite records on his cell phone told another.

The night Franklin went missing, Potts asked two friends to come pick him up in Hammond, Ind., one block from where Franklin's car was later found, prosecutors said.

Statements from the friends and other witnesses, cell phone records and video surveillance tape point toward Potts being Franklin's killer, police said.

Franklin, a pharmaceutical rep for Eli Lilly, had an "on-and-off dating relationship for several months" with Potts. Detectives say e-mails between the couple indicate Franklin was trying to end their stormy relationship.

A few days after Franklin's disappearance, Potts told police he had not seen her since August. But several residents at Franklin's Pilsen-area condominium reported seeing Potts. Also, surveillance tape from the building shows Potts in the parking garage and Potts and Franklin together in a hallway in Franklin's building.

Potts has eight previous felony convictions. 

Dwayne Johnson, Franklin's uncle, was at the Dec. 28 hearing and asked for prayers for the Franklin family as well as the Potts family.

Potts' preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for January 4.   

Contents of this site are Copyright 2007 by WBBM 
 
 
 
 

UPDATE: Boyfriend Indicted In Nailah Franklin's Murder
Posted: Saturday, 05 January 2008 2:38AM


 
CHICAGO  ― Reginald Potts Jr., 30-year-old former lover of slain pharmaceutical rep Nailah Franklin, is indicted on multiple counts of murder and kidnapping in the 28-year-old woman's death.

Potts is indicted on 16 counts of first-degree murder, four counts of aggravated kidnapping and one count each of vehicular hijacking and robbery, according to Cook County State's Attorney's office spokesman Andy Conklin.

Franklin, 28, of University Village, was reported missing by her family on Sept. 19 after not showing for a meeting with her boss at Eli Lilly and Co. Her decomposed body was found in a wooded area on Sept. 27.

Potts, 31, could face the death penalty if convicted of murdering Franklin, 28. He was ordered held without bond by Judge Don Panarese on Dec. 10.

Franklin had an "on-and-off dating relationship for several months" with Potts, according to First Assistant State's Attorney Robert Milan. In early September, Franklin sent an e-mail to several friends discussing Potts' prior criminal history. When Potts found out about the e-mail, he began making threatening calls to Franklin, Milan said in court. In one message, "he told her he could have her erased," Milan said.

On Sept. 10, Franklin filed a police report saying she had been threatened.

A few days after Franklin's disappearance, Potts told police he had not seen her since August. But "several residents" at Franklin's Pilsen-area condominium reported seeing Potts "lurking in the victim's hallway and in the parking garage on the evenings of Sept. 16 and 17," according to Milan.

Potts claimed to have been at a Target store with two friends the evening of Sept. 18. But surveillance tape shows the friends there without Potts, Milan said.

Potts has eight previous felony convictions. Asst. Public Defender Kathy Lisco said Potts is involved "in various small business enterprises." He has also been charged in connection with the aggravated battery of a police officer in Maywood.

He told Panarese during his bond hearing that he did not want a public defender to represent him, though Lisco represented him at the bond hearing.

Potts is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, Conklin said. 
http://www.wbbm780.com/UPDATE:-Boyfriend--Indicted-In-Nailah-Franklin-s-M/1433160

Potts asks judge for a gag order
NAILAH FRANKLIN CASE | Pleads not guilty to murder, might act as own lawyer

January 12, 2008
BY STEFANO ESPOSITO Staff Reporter/sesposito@suntimes.com
The man accused of killing Nailah Franklin took a swipe Friday at a candidate running for Cook County state's attorney, saying prosecutor Robert Milan may try to use the high-profile case to "boost" his campaign.

Reginald Potts made the remarks in Cook County Criminal Court, as he pleaded not guilty in the murder case and then asked Judge Nicholas Ford to prevent prosecutors, Chicago Police and Franklin family members from talking to the media.
» Click to enlarge image
Reginald Potts, right, entered a "not guilty" plea in the first-degree murder charges in the death of 28-year-old Nailah Franklin, left.
(AP/Sun-Times files)

RELATED STORIES
Potts plans to represent self in trial Potts indicted in Nailah Franklin's kidnapping, murder

In his handwritten motion, Potts said Milan, a candidate for state's attorney and the No. 2 person in the office, "may attempt to boost his public image and gain momentum for his campaign by giving press conferences about this case." Potts said he's worried publicity will make it hard for him to get a fair trial.

Assistant State's Attorney Maria McCarthy responded: "The irony is no one has spoken to the press more than Mr. Potts." Ford did not rule on the motion.

Later Friday, Milan said his office's public comments about the Potts case have always been in line with Illinois Supreme Court rules.

Potts also told Ford he might act as his own lawyer, if he can't find a suitable private attorney.

Ford told Potts he was "making a critical mistake."

Franklin was reported missing in September. Her decomposed body was later found in Calumet City. Her case has drawn national attention.

Potts began Friday in Judge Marcus Salone's courtroom, but the case was transferred to Ford's courtroom after Salone recused himself. Salone did not offer a reason, but a source said the switch was made because Potts' sister is a probation officer assigned to Salone's courtroom.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/737831,CST-NWS-potts12.article

Suspect takes on his own case in murder trial
Judge tells man he is 'making a horrible, horrible mistake'

October 25, 2008

The judge could not have been clearer to Reginald Potts Jr.

"I think you are making a horrible, horrible mistake that could end up costing you your life," Cook County Circuit Judge Thomas Gainer Jr. said, his eyes locked on Potts. "Do you understand that?"

"Yes, I do," said Potts, who was seeking permission Friday to represent himself in his trial on charges he kidnapped and killed ex-girlfriend Nailah Franklin in September 2007.

Authorities say he stalked and threatened Franklin before he killed her and dumped her body in woods in Calumet City. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

Potts, 31, told Gainer he can't afford a private attorney but does not want to be represented by assistant public defenders because he's been told that could delay a trial for years. He wants to go to trial in a month.

"I'm not guilty of this," he said. "I don't want to sit in jail for two more years."

A criminal prosecution is like a high-stakes chess game with intricately woven rules and laws that have myriad consequences. One poor play can spell disaster, especially in a capital murder case.

Potts has no legal experience but told the judge he has access to the Cook County Jail's law library one hour a week and has been studying up for his case. Gainer compared Potts' plan to defend himself to reading "Chess for Dummies" a couple of times before playing Garry Kasparov.

"Do you understand that I think you are going to be at a tremendous disadvantage when you pit your lack of experience against [prosecutors'] great experience?" Gainer asked.

Potts said he understood.

Gainer peppered him with questions. Did he understand rules of evidence and trial procedure and that the judge wouldn't be able to advise him during the trial? Did Potts know that once a trial begins, he cannot back out if he finds himself overwhelmed? Did he understand that in refusing the help of experienced trial lawyers, he would also lose their help finding—and paying for—expert witnesses to counter the state's case?

Potts said he believed the truth would win out.

Finally, Gainer acceded but left Potts room to change his mind.

"I can easily be talked out of my decision to let you represent yourself," Gainer said as the hearing drew to a close. "All you have to do is ask."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-crime-potts-columnoct25,0,2540188.story

Chicago Tribune 
August 17, 2009 Monday
 
Remembering Nailah Franklin;
2 years after missing woman was found slain, family members shed light on how they cope with that grim time and honor her
 
It has been nearly two years since Nailah Franklin's story captured the heart of this city. She was the 28-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative who was reported missing on Sept. 19, 2007. Hers was the lovely face that smiled broadly on the thousands of fliers that family members and friends distributed while praying for a positive outcome.

But within a few days, she was found dead in Calumet City woods. Reginald Potts Jr., 32, was charged with murder and remains in jail awaiting trial.

Much of what we learned about Nailah (pronounced Na-EE-luh) Franklin was cast in terms of the investigation. According to police, she was a young woman who felt threatened and afraid as she tried to fend off a man whom she had dated. But to get a better glimpse into who Franklin really was, you have to see her through the stories of her tightly knit, blended family. Only now has the grief subsided enough for them to speak publicly of their loss -- and of the many ways Franklin enriched their lives.

I spoke with her parents and three siblings, whose words provide a template for how those struck by tragedy may begin the seemingly impossible task of moving on and remembering the good. Even in this family of standouts -- the father is a retired biochemist and businessman; some of the siblings attended such universities as Notre Dame and Stanford -- Nailah Franklin made an indelible imprint on her family.

Maria Maner is Franklin's mother. She lived in the Chicago area for many years before moving to North Carolina three years ago:

When I was pregnant with Nailah, I didn't know whether I could carry her to term because there was a small complication. But she was determined to get here. I was looking in a book of names and I came across "Nailah." It's Arabic and means "one who succeeds," which was appropriate because she succeeded in coming into this world.

When she was born, she had so much hair that the nurses at Highland Park Hospital heard about it and had to come see. Some stopped me as we were leaving the hospital.

Nailah was a blessing to me -- a good luck charm. Everything she touched seemed to turn to gold. If you knew her, you would have been tempted to believe that might always be the case. She didn't suffer in her life. I think that last year was her most challenging.

The January after she died, our family decided to meet at her condominium near the University of Illinois at Chicago campus. Many of us hadn't been there since her death, and we had come together as a family to pack up some things. We each planned to pick out a few keepsakes.

It didn't take long to realize that Nailah had taken a little part of each of us already. Her dad found a book she'd taken from him. Her sister Lehia discovered a hat that belonged to her. Another sister found her camera. And there was an unfinished wall of photographs. Some were glamour shots of Nailah, but many were pictures of older relatives that Nailah had asked me for, but I'd told her she couldn't have them. They were framed and on her wall.

About a week before Nailah was reported missing, she and I talked on the telephone for more than an hour. We hadn't talked that long in quite some time and it felt so good. As we visited, I looked around my living room at the wonderful gifts she'd given me over the years. I can understand why she wanted something of ours; it was a blessing to have something from her so close to me.

As she was growing up, I wondered why she always seemed to be in such a hurry to live life. I think her spirit knew she had such a short time on this Earth and she had to cram in as much living as possible.

Lehia Franklin Acox is Nailah Franklin's oldest sister. She lives in Chicago with her husband and 2-year-old daughter and runs her own public relations firm:

I was in Chicago in the summer of 1991 and on my 21st birthday, I decided to throw myself a party at my father's Lincoln Park home. It was the very first birthday party I ever threw for myself. I got champagne and food and I was running around like a crazy person. But it was Nailah, only 12 years old at the time, who took center stage. Hair and nails freshly done, she sat dressed in a brand-new outfit with her legs crossed, holding grown-people conversations as my guests looked on in astonishment.

She was asking them how they were doing in school and what they were doing with their lives. Nailah was the only kid at the party, but you never would have known she was a child. There was a moment when I saw her sitting by the stereo, getting ready to change my music. At first I was a bit annoyed, but I couldn't help but laugh. She was having the time of her life.

If you want to know Nailah, then that is who she was as a girl and as a woman. She had this little baby voice that she never grew out of, but she was bold and spirited, headstrong and beautiful.

She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana with a degree in advertising but took a leap of faith and changed professions. That's how she landed at Eli Lilly as a pharmaceutical sales rep. She believed a sales job would help her better control her destiny and be more financially lucrative.

She also had just decided to take up interior decorating as a sideline. Nailah had helped an ex-boyfriend decorate his home, so she just assumed she could do it and get paid for it. Before she died, she had a couple of people lined up who were going to pay her to decorate their homes.

I see Nailah's spirit echoed in my daughter Harper, who's nearly 3 years old. Being nine years older than Nailah, I watched her grow up. I don't know if what I see in Harper is real or wishful thinking, but sometimes it makes me laugh; other times it makes me cry.

Lee Franklin is Nailah Franklin's father. A retired biochemist and businessman, he lives in Chicago:

On the Father's Day before Nailah died, she told me that she wanted to take me to this nice restaurant to celebrate the day. We were always going out, and we'd have these elaborate conversations about her life or something in the news. She was an exceptionally smart woman.

We had this great dinner and when the check came, she looked at it and I looked at her. I looked at it and then she looked at me. We did this back-and-forth for a few minutes until I just pulled out my credit card. That was Nailah.

She and I had a special relationship, I think because when her mother and I divorced, she spent every other weekend with me and all of her summers. But she also reminded me so much of my late mother. We called her Grandma Moot because once she said something all other points were moot. My mother, who died about two years before Nailah died, used to say that of all of her many grandchildren, Nailah was her favorite.

I'd say, 'Mama, you can't say that.' And she'd say, 'Well, it's true and I don't care who knows it.'"

I admire all of my children. My daughter Lehia got a scholarship to Notre Dame; my son John-Ashton received full scholarships to MIT and Stanford. I lobbied for MIT but he chose Stanford, where he's currently an honors student. My daughter Marina is an internationally known comedian, and Ashlee is a social worker. I admired Nailah because she was smart, hardworking and didn't believe in excuses. No excuses.

I think about Nailah every day and not a day goes by when I don't find myself missing her. I know that will always be the case.

Ashley Chappell is Franklin's 21-year-old sister. She is a nurse who lives in south suburban Chicago with her husband and young daughter.

I grew up in the same house with Nailah. When I got older, she told me that she thought she was supposed to be mean to me. I would come home after getting my hair professionally straightened and she would say it needed to be washed again. She'd wet my hair and leave it, and it would revert back to an Afro, looking like I hadn't had anything done to it.

Once, Nailah told me that I could cut off all my Barbie's hair and it would grow back. Of course, I did and it didn't and I was heartbroken.

To be honest, we were mean to each other. When she was in high school, I would tear pages out of her homework notebooks. It would crush her because she had taken extensive notes. I would answer her telephone calls and tell her best friend Dana that she'd just eaten and was in the bathroom. When she would leave the house, I would try on her prom dresses and she hated that. She loved clothes and had such a terrific sense of fashion.

But when Nailah left for college, I cried so hard that I couldn't stand it. Years later, I tried to go to the University of Illinois at Urbana but my grades weren't up to par, and I remember her writing me a letter saying how much she believed in me.

When Nailah came up missing, I had just started in a nursing program. I wanted to spend my time handing out fliers or just searching for her. When we learned she had died, I considered quitting the nursing program. But I remembered how much she believed in me and I thought it was important to keep going.

Ashlee Allen Gilot is Franklin's 22-year-old sister. A social worker and newlywed, she lives in Bloomington, Ill.:

Nailah was only 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 110 pounds. But she had such a presence that when she walked into a room, you knew she was there. She wasn't loud at all; she was charismatic, charming and so self-assured.

She was 8 years older than me and always so concerned about how I was doing in school. Even when I went to college, she kept up with me. She called me her little pen pal because we would always trade e-mails. Even before I went out on a date, she wanted to know if I had my cell phone. She quizzed my boyfriends. She was unafraid. That's what made what happened to her so ironic.

That January when the family met at Nailah's condominium, it was the first time I'd been there since her death. When I first walked in, I could smell her perfume and I almost expected her to come running out.

Other relatives had come ahead of us -- when the police said it was OK -- to clean up a few things: They did the dishes and made her bed. But everything else was the way she left it, even the cup that she used for her morning coffee was on the counter. It was very hard.

But soon, the day began to feel like we were there for a family gathering. At one point, somebody went out to get something to eat. At another, we were going through Nailah's CD collection and had to laugh because it was such a reflection of her -- a combination of old school songs by Luther Vandross and Tae Bo exercise DVDs.

I left with her vacuum cleaner and some outfits -- not that I can wear them because she was much smaller than me. But they'll remind me of her.

I dealt with being angry and bitter about her death for a long time. It was making me physically sick and turning me into a person I didn't like. I had already lost my sister, I refused to lose myself. So I decided that although I could never ignore what happened, I had to focus on all the laughter.

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:1023995729&start=2