Franklin's plight - Senator admits being charged but did not attend court

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

GOVERNMENT SENATOR Aundré Franklin has admitted under cross-examination that when he was a teacher at the New Day All-Age and Junior High School he was charged with injuring the deceased Andre Thomas but he (Franklin) did not attend court.

Questioned yesterday as to the reason he did not attend court, he said he was told not to go. He admitted that someone had bailed him and he was given a paper to attend court.

Pressed further by defence lawyer Linton Walters, he said: "I think it was André's father who told me I did not have to go to court". He said he did not know what happened to the case.

Senator Franklin said he was aware that if he had a conviction he could not be a Senator or a Parliamentary Secretary.

It was first suggested to him that he was charged for breaking Thomas' hand but he said no, the hand had only a weal on it.

He denied the suggestion that he came to court to tell lies on the policemen because he was beholden to Thomas for saving his political career.

Senator Franklin was testifying at the trial of the four policemen who are accused of murdering 18-year-old Grants Pen resident André Thomas.

On Wednesday, Senator Franklin testified in the Home Circuit Court that he saw Andre Thomas with both hands in the air and then heard gunshots. He said three policemen were around Thomas when he was shot. He said he knew Thomas for 10 years and used to be his teacher.