Franklin Convicted in Tillman Murder

A Douglas County jury took less than two hours to decide Tracen Franklin was guilty of killing Bobby Tillman two years ago, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

WSB-TV reported Frankin's attorney, Bruce Harvey, did not deny Franklin's involvement in the beating, but he is trying to convince jurors that the beating was not "premeditated or planned" in an effort to avoid the death penalty.

Emanuel Boykins, pleaded guilty last spring to being the first to attack Tillman at a high school party that got out of control, avoiding a death penalty trial.

, Emanuel Boykins pleaded guilty to killing Tillman and was sentenced to life in prison with the opportunity for parole after 30 years, according to wsbtv.com.

Douglas County District Attorney David McDade did not seek the death penalty against two other suspects, Quantez Devonta Mallory and Horace Damon Coleman.

Prosecutors are expected today to make their case that Franklin should be sentenced to death, the AJC said. If not Franklin could get either life with the possibility of parole after at least 30 years in prison or life without parole.

The penalty phase of the trial is next. Douglas County Superior Court Judge William McClain told jurors they could expect the trial to last until the middle of next week, the AJC report said.

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