Firm Secures Life-Changing Outcome in 15-Year-Old Dothan Cold Case and Companion Felony Case
Author
JB Brown
Date Published
"A Willingness to Try the Hard Cases"
At The People's Defender, JB Brown Criminal Trial Practice, we approach every case—no matter how old, high-profile, or emotionally charged—with the same commitment: protecting the constitutional rights of the accused and fighting for the fairest outcome the law allows.
Last monthmonth, our trial lawyers Eli Sargent and Saharah Lawrence along with our legal adivisor Chris Nola, successfully represented Shonqueze Franklin, who was charged in a 2010 cold-case homicide in Dothan, Alabama. The case drew significant community attention due to its age, complexity, and the number of years that had passed since the incident.
A Difficult Case With High Stakes
Mr. Franklin was 17 years old at the time of the incident. When he was finally brought to trial in 2025, he faced a murder charge carrying the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted. He also had a pending felony case with a minimum 15 year sentence that would have gone to trial after this.
The evidence was complicated, decades old, and fiercely contested. After several days of testimony and a full review of the State’s evidence, the jury struggled to reach a unanimous decision. Their inability to agree reflected the deep uncertainties in the case and the weaknesses in the prosecution’s theory.
A Jury Deadlock That Changed the Trajectory
When the jury reported that they were hopelessly deadlocked, the court was prepared to declare a mistrial. Instead, the State—recognizing the risks and evidentiary issues—entered negotiations with our team.
The Bigger Picture
Mr. Frranklin had another pending case yet to go to trial. In that case there was no getting out of and he was looking at a minimum 15 year sentence.
The Outcome: Manslaughter Plea With a 3-Year Split Sentence
Instead of facing the possibility of life in prison, and another 15 year sentence Mr. Franklin pled to reckless manslaughter and received a 3-year split sentence—a dramatic reduction from the original stakes.
This result reflects not only the legal challenges in the case but the value of a defense team willing to push the matter to trial, expose the weaknesses in the State’s evidence, and leverage the jury’s indecision into a fairer, more just resolution.
Additional Victory: A Separate Felony Case Dismissed
Equally significant, and a major reason for the plea, as part of the global resolution, the State dismissed an unrelated felony charge—a promoting prison contraband case in which the prosecution had sought up to 15 years due to prior convictions.
Had that case not been resolved, Mr. Franklin would have faced a stacked sentence structure and a dramatically harsher exposure.
Our team ensured that both cases were resolved together, eliminating that threat entirely.
What This Means for Our Client
Instead of spending decades in prison, Mr. Franklin now has:
- A vastly reduced sentence
- No additional 15-year exposure on the contraband charge
- A chance to rebuild his life
- The opportunity to return home in the near future
For a case that began 15 years ago, the outcome represents a clear, concrete second chance—and it’s the type of result our firm fights for every day.
Our Approach to Serious and High-Profile Cases
Cold cases, violent offenses, and matters involving extensive criminal history require:
- Intensive factual investigation
- Command of evidentiary rules
- A willingness to try the case
- Strategic negotiation at critical moments
- A deep understanding of sentencing exposure
Our firm builds its reputation on doing that work at the highest level.
Standing Beside Our Clients—Every Step of the Way
The Franklin case is another example of what we stand for: defending people when the stakes are highest. We are proud of the work our team put into this case and grateful for the trust our client placed in us.
For anyone facing a serious accusation in Alabama—whether recent or decades old—our firm is prepared to bring the same level of commitment, strategy, and relentless defense.
https://www.wtvy.com/2025/11/20/mistrial-looms-cold-case-murder-trial/