COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — Nailah Franklin's family on Thursday urged a Cook County judge to hit Reginald Potts with a stiff sentence.
Potts, 38, was convicted late last year of murdering Franklin in 2007. By the time authorities found Franklin's body, it was so badly decomposed that the 28-year-old pharmaceutical rep could only be identified through dental records.
"Not only was she gone, but there was no body left for me to view — nothing for me to kiss or hold on to," Franklin's mother, Maria Maner, said Thursday as Potts' lengthy sentencing hearing continued into its fourth day.
"Nailah had the most beautiful hair, a lot of it," Maner continued. "I asked the funeral director if I could have a lock of her hair. She [the director] said there was no hair when they received [Franklin's] remains."
Maner joined three of Franklin's sisters Thursday to read victim-impact statements in front of Judge Thomas Gainer, who will determine Potts' fate.
Nailah Franklin, a 28-year-old pharmaceutical rep, was found dead in September 2007.
Since Potts' hearing began Monday, more than 30 witnesses have offered testimony or statements. Final mitigation and closing arguments are expected Friday morning, and Judge Gainer plans to announce Potts' sentence Tuesday.
"Like everyone in the courtroom, this eight-year ordeal has taken its toll on me too," Judge Gainer said Thursday. But "I'm not going to rush to judgment. Whatever happens here, I want to make sure I give both sides a fair hearing."
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In her statement, Franklin's sister, Lehia Franklin Acox, said she regrets that her two young daughters didn't get to know their "vibrant aunt."
"She might have been their confidante, cheerleader, shopping buddy, co-conspirator in mischief and merriment, but they will never know," Franklin Acox said. "They will never know her."
"For me," Franklin Acox continued, "there is no deeper meaning or no great 'lesson' to take away from the senseless murder of my sister. She is just gone, and we are still here, left to mourn and miss her."
Reginald Potts listens to Franklin's relatives Thursday. Photo: Tribune
Potts' father, Reginald Potts Sr., spoke on Potts' behalf Thursday.
Potts Sr. shared memories of Potts Jr. as a child, describing the boy as smart, energetic and a fast learner who "loved the finer things in life" such as clothes and money.
Potts Sr. urged Judge Gainer to consider a light sentence that would allow Potts Jr. to see his daughters once more, claiming that Potts was only found guilty "through emotion and hearsay, not any solid evidence."
Potts Jr. on Nov. 10 was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder.
According to prosecutors, Potts stalked, harassed and threatened Franklin in the weeks prior to her death. Neighbors spotted Potts skulking near Franklin's apartment, and Franklin's body was found behind a vacant video store owned by Potts' brother-in-law.
During the trial, prosecutors painted Potts as arrogant and narcissistic. They laid out for jurors his past history of domestic violence with other women, and shared several derogatory emails and voicemails Potts sent Franklin, a bubbly 28-year-old pharmaceutical rep.
RELATED: Nailah Franklin's Jilted Ex Vowed to 'Erase' Her Before Murder: Prosecutors
Franklin was last seen alive on Sept. 18, 2007, standing with Potts inside her University Village condo building. Prosecutors claim Potts murdered Franklin that day, dumped her body and stole her cellphone. Potts then texted responses to Franklin's incoming texts and voicemails to pretend she was still alive, prosecutors said.
The defense team was quick to point out that the state's case against Potts was purely circumstantial. There were neither eyewitness accounts nor physical evidence linking Potts to the murder, and Potts has long maintained his innocence.
Potts declined to testify during the trial.
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