Potts wants to represent himself in Franklin trial

The ex-boyfriend of Nailah Franklin made a request last Friday to represent himself in the yet-to-be scheduled murder trial.

The ex-boyfriend of Nailah Franklin made a request last Friday to represent himself in the yet-to-be scheduled murder trial.

Reginald Potts was ordered held without bond last December for allegedly murdering the 28-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative in September 2007. He is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, vehicular hijacking and robbery.

Potts told the judge he could no longer afford his private attorney, Robert Johnson, and he did not want a court-appointed attorney. He prefers to represent himself. He has been studying in the jail’s law library and is ready for trail, he said.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas V. Gainer Jr. told Potts he was a making a "horrible, horrible mistake" but granted his request. He made a similar request last January.

Nailah Franklin was reported missing September 19, 2007 after calls to her family and friends were not returned by her, and when she missed an important meeting with her employers the previous day.

Within two weeks of her disappearance, her car, personal belongings and decomposed body were found a few miles apart in the south suburbs and neighboring Hammond, Ind.

Prosecutors said Potts stalked Franklin within days of her disappearance, and video footage shows the man on Sept. 18. inside of the building where Franklin lived.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

______ Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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