A Shreveport man who shot his former girlfriend 20 times in June 2021 was found guilty of second-degree murder Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Caddo District Court.

It took less than a half-hour of deliberation for the seven-man, five-woman jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.'s court to return its unanimous verdict against Benjamin D. Franklin, 26.

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Testimony and evidence admitted at trial proved that Franklin entered the apartment of his former girlfriend in the 9000 block of Mansfield Road on June 3, 2021, and shot her 20 times. He did this to prevent her from identifying him as the perpetrator of an earlier armed robbery of a convenience store. Franklin also stole the victim's personal property to pawn in the days following the murder. A search of Franklin's residence led to police recovering the murder weapon and personal property of the victim that Franklin tried to destroy. Franklin pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, a defense countered by a state medical expert.

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Assistant District Attorneys Jason Waltman and Christopher Bowman prosecuted the case. Lesley Kelly defended Franklin.

At sentencing May 14, 2024, Franklin faces a mandatory life prison sentence.

The case was docket No. 383356.

Caddo Parish Violent Offenders March 23rd-29th

The following booking photos are those who were booked in to Caddo Correctional Center for crimes of a violent or sexual nature. All those pictured are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center

Caddo Parish Violent Offenders March 16th-22nd

The following booking photos are those who were booked in to Caddo Correctional Center for crimes of a violent or sexual nature. All those pictured are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center

Caddo Parish Violent Offenders March 9th-15th

The following booking photos are those who were booked in to Caddo Correctional Center for crimes of a violent or sexual nature. All those pictured are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center

Caddo Parish Violent Offenders March 2nd-8th

The following booking photos are those who were booked in to Caddo Correctional Center for crimes of a violent or sexual nature. All those pictured are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center

Caddo Parish Violent Offenders February 17th-23rd

The following booking-photos are those who were booked in to Caddo Correctional Center for crimes of a violent or sexual nature. All those pictured are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center