In the winter of 2014, a dispute over property ownership in Detroit, Michigan, ended in tragedy, claiming the lives of a father and his daughter. Howard Franklin, a 72-year-old male, had recently purchased a home in the Rosedale Park neighborhood at a tax foreclosure sale. On November 28, 2014, he and his 37-year-old daughter, Catherine Franklin, went to the residence to carry out an eviction.
An altercation ensued with the occupants who were in the process of moving out.
The situation escalated when a heated argument broke out over the removal of fixtures from the house. Both Howard Franklin and his daughter were armed, as was a relative of the home's occupant, 22-year-old Alonzo Long Jr. During the confrontation, gunfire was exchanged, and both Howard and Catherine Franklin were fatally shot. Long fled the scene but was later apprehended by police.
Alonzo Long Jr. was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Howard and Catherine Franklin. His first trial, which began in July 2015, ended with a hung jury. A second trial was held, and in February 2016, Long was acquitted of the murder charges. The defense argued that the shooting occurred in a chaotic situation where it was unclear who fired first, leading to the not guilty verdict.
