Louisiana’s lone female on death row was denied a capital clemency hearing by the Louisiana Pardon Board which conducted an administrative review of Antoinette Frank’s case. Frank was a New Orleans police officer when she killed a fellow officer and two restaurant workers during a late-night robbery in 1995. Her brother, Alex Frank, told the four-member panel that his sister is a reformed person
“You guys have a chance to meet her and actually see that she’s not the person that everybody’s portraying and saying she’s such a like horrible person.”
Officer Ronald Williams was working security detail at the restaurant when he was killed by Frank and her co-defendant Rogers LaCaze, who is serving a life sentence. Williams’ son Patrick, says Frank does not deserve to leave death row…
” The fact that you’re considering clemency is absurd. She not only hurt my father she hurt multiple other people it’s absolutely ridiculous. Can’t believe you’re considering this.”
Frank’s lawyer argued before the Louisiana Pardon Board that the years of sexual abuse Frank received from her father left her timid and easily manipulated by violent men like her co-defendant. Frank’s former spiritual advisor argued for her chance at a sentence of life in prison…
“Here record of behavior has always been good. She enjoys learning, writing, encouraging others, and studying her Bible. If her sentence was changed to life, know that she would have the opportunity to be able to attend church services.”
Officer Williams’s brother-in-law pleaded with the Louisiana Pardon Board not to grant clemency. He says the family has suffered enough and Frank deserves to die for what she’s done…
“There’s nothing you can be sure of allowing them to attend her execution that will allow them to have any peace to move on. You must deny clemency or you’re just basically condoning what Antoinette has done to their lives for 28 years.”
Four other death row inmates seeking clemency hearings were also denied.
Below is a statement from Cecelia Kappel, Executive Director of the Louisiana Capital Appeals Project:
“Governor Edwards’ letter to the Board in August was clear that the Board must hold clemency hearings for the individuals on death row. These hearings would have allowed all parties to be heard, including the applicants themselves.
“What happened today epitomizes the arbitrary nature of the death penalty in Louisiana. The Board summarily denied even a hearing to these individuals on death row, by a divided vote, without letting them speak, or even looking them in the face.
“Governor Edwards must step up to clarify that he intends for the Board to hold substantive clemency hearings for all of the death row applicants before he leaves office.”
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