Defendant
found not guilty

A jury found former McPherson College football player Alton Franklin not guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Tabor College football player Brandon Brown in September.

The jury had the option of convicting Franklin of a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, but acquitted him on all charges April 16.

The acquittal came two weeks after another defendant, DeQuinte Flournoy, accepted a plea deal, reducing the charge from second-degree murder to aggravated battery in return for cooperating in the prosecution of Franklin.

Franklin was released from bond after the verdict was reached. Flournoy is scheduled to be sentenced at 11:30 a.m. June 3.