OKLAHOMA CITY – The jury has found Tulsa dentist guilty of killing 19-month-old Lincoln Lewis in July 2016 and soliciting murder against Lewis’ mother.
Lewis was the son of Roxanne Randall, a woman Franklin was having an affair with at the time.
For three hours Thursday, prosecutors for the state and an attorney for Franklin delivered closing arguments of whether jurors should find him guilty or not guilty of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors say he also tried to pay someone to kill Randall.
According to the state, the most important piece of evidence the jury has to consider is Lewis himself. Home surveillance presented in court shows Franklin making a kicking and throwing motion at an object, which prosecutors believe to be Lewis.
Before that, the toddler was described as “alert and active.” Lewis is later shown in the video being carried by Franklin.
“That limp body tells the whole story,” a prosecutor told the court.
Scott Adams, who is representing Franklin, argues he was kicking the dog and not the child. Adams said the dog was known to be disobedient.
Adams noted Randall, who testified she heard a thud, did not suspect Franklin in the moment. The ones who suspect Franklin are prosecutors for the state “and they weren’t there.”
Lewis’ injuries were also discussed during closing arguments.
The state reiterated testimony for multiple doctors, including one who testified the toddler’s head injuries were “the worst fracture he’s ever seen” were comparable to child who had been “unrestrained in a car accident” as opposed to a fall.
Adams mentioned the pediatric neurologist, who admitted to being paid by the defense for his testimony, said CT scans alone could not determine whether injuries were accidental or abuse.
