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All Points: Innocents in prison

Brian Edward Franklin, released from prison after his conviction for rape was overturned by an appeals court, leaves the Tarrant County Corrections office at 200 W. Belknap, with his arms raised in celebration.
Brian Edward Franklin, released from prison after his conviction for rape was overturned by an appeals court, leaves the Tarrant County Corrections office at 200 W. Belknap, with his arms raised in celebration. David Kent dkent@star-telegram.com

“I’m not the only innocent man in prison,” former Fort Worth police officer Brian Edward Franklin said after an appeals court determined that he had been wrongly convicted and granted him a new trial.

Franklin spent 21 years in prison, accused of the sexual assault of a child, which he has steadfastly denied. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals found conflicting elements in his accuser’s testimony.

“The district attorney’s office does not believe there are innocent people in prison from Tarrant County,” he said. Do you believe there are? How much does that bother you?

Send no more than 150 words with your name, home address and telephone number to letters@star-telegram.com. Deadline is Wednesday.

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 4:51 PM with the headline "All Points: Innocents in prison."

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