Murder Victim's Brother Testifies During Reginald Potts Sentencing
(CBS) -- The younger brother of murder victim Nailah Franklin took the witness stand Wednesday in the third day of the sentencing hearing for convicted killer Reginald Potts.
John Allen was a high school senior when the murder occurred, said he "shut down" emotionally at the time and has blocked much of what unfolded from his memory. He said it has distanced him emotionally from the rest of his family.
He said Franklin was his favorite sibling, said she was the one who made time to speak and hang out with him and regrets never having the chance to speak with her as another adult.
He said Potts has shown no sign of remorse in the courtroom and voiced fears for his safety, and for the safety of his family. He asked the judge to sentence Potts to life without the possibility of parole.
"I still fear the possibility of him one day being allowed to walk the streets again. His presence poses a grave threat not only to my sisters but all the sisters and daughters that the United States justice system serves and protects."
Two men who had business dealings with Potts said he began cordially but threatened harm when crossed. In one case he badgered a man who sold him a home from which the furnace had been stolen and then allegedly threatened the man with a gun during a high-speed chase on Chicago's south side. In the other case, he threatened a former friend over a repossessed car.
A Cook County sheriff's police investigator also testified that Potts sought extensive information from Yahoo, AT&T, Google, U.S. Cellular, T-Mobile and Facebook by drawing up phony subpoenas, with information to be sent to his sisters, one of whom was listed on documents as a detective and another as a judge.
