Reginald Potts talks for very first time at sentencing for 2007 loss of Nailah Franklin

Reginal Potts talks for first-time since kill arrest

CHICAGO (WLS) — Convicted killer Reginald Potts spoke out in his own protection for the first time monday during their sentencing hearing into the 2007 death of ex-girlfriend Nailah Franklin.

Potts, 39, is actually dealing with life in prison for destroying the drug rep.

Potts did not testify during his murder test, but he’d loads to express monday, speaking for about 40 mins. All few days prosecutors posses portrayed Potts as a cunning manipulator whom develops annoyed and violent when their lays tend to be revealed. But Potts now stated he is the sufferer of a narrative that’s false.

“I did not stalk Nailah. I didn’t murder Nailah. Years,” Potts stated.

Potts ended up being found guilty in November. Prosecutors say Potts killed Franklin after she broke up with him. But Potts refused that Franklin got his girlfriend.

“I did not have any frustration toward Nailah Franklin. I happened to be not angry together with her. I was perhaps not stalking the lady,” Potts stated.

During five-day sentencing hearing, prosecutors called several witnesses which outlined a design of crime and assault by Potts inclined to girls and people in police.

“i will be a tremendously blunt people. No doubt you’ve heard that. The deputies have heard that. I communicate my personal brain. I’m not a violent individual,” Potts stated.

Potts grew mental after these are his upbringing, expanding right up in a broken residence but surrounded by enjoying families, at one-point referencing Thursday’s impact statement distributed by Franklin’s mom.

“Having a mom and hearing Ms. Franklin’s mama talk about the effect that their daughter’s passing have upon this lady, more than any such thing for the sentencing hearing and throughout this test relocated me personally,” Potts mentioned.

But Potts in addition informed the assess on Friday that he didn’t stalk the prey, but which he questioned Franklin to quit calling your. Potts informed the judge that Franklin also called the caretaker of their youngsters and informed her Potts desired to need a kid with Franklin.

Potts in addition defended their record of infractions whilst in jail. The guy debated that he had been directed by guards over the past eight age because he would maybe not take poor therapy as other inmates would.

Potts in addition debated that their children’s mother Natalie Figueroa wasn’t a battered woman, but which he left their after she cheated on him while he was a student in prison. The guy said another woman which testified against him, Ina Dorsey, had been frustrated because the guy outdated the lady but never told her he was hitched.

Potts performed declare to kicking a doorway in while disappointed about to be able to head to their young ones. Potts next browse a message from Dorsey and asked the judge, “performs this appear to be a battered girl?”

Potts additionally said he attributed the mass media for any “narrative” of your stalking Franklin.

“we enjoyed ways my life was going. I would n’t have tossed that-away,” Potts stated. “I sit just before, and I declare that Im innocent.

“This judge is likely to demand a sentence, but I am not saying likely to be in someone’s jail rotting away,” he said. “And wait until a court of analysis investigates this case and perchance render another choice.”

“we inquire once again it is regarding compassion and mercy,” Potts stated on the sentence. “i can not ask for forgiveness for something i did not create.”

Thursday’s testimony ended with Potts’ father, which coated a portrait of a young child from a damaged house whom grew up to be a sensible pops of two girls which the guy enjoys very much. His testimony was in reaction to some dramatic victim-impact comments.

“Nightmares still taunt myself with her shouting, moaning and communicating, asking on her life. But none folks have there been to truly save the lady. Not one of are there to hear the girl cries,” stated Ashlee Allen, Franklin’s sibling.

“there are two deaths, Nailah and her father. He passed away due to this. The guy ended consuming and his health dropped,” said Maria Maner, Franklin’s mama.

The legal furthermore heard from two state’s lawyer detectives exactly who detail by detail a structure of violence by Potts against females.

Richard Lombard affirmed that one of Potts’ former girlfriends advised your Potts choked this lady during a-stay in a fresh York City resorts.

“the guy choked the lady, choked their completely, and tossed the lady in the bed. She surely could name resort safety in which he escaped,” stated Lombard.

Potts was convicted in Franklin’s 2007 murder. The 28-year-old drug representative got asphyxiated after breaking up with Potts.

Make district Jail head Tarry Williams affirmed that Potts has dedicated a lot more than 200 violations during guardianship, including setting a flames inside the cell and sabotaging plumbing.

He had been requested in which Potts rated among worst inmates.

“in my own job, he’s reached be top ten,” Williams mentioned.

The hearing got postponed caused by some issues with regards to a mobile phone which was present in some papers that Potts gave his attorneys early in the day this week. Potts mentioned the telephone wasn’t their.

Assess Thomas Gainer states he’s going to sentence Potts on Tuesday.