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Inset, left to right: Hope Jackson and Riddick Franklin (Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office). Background: The apartment complex where Franklin allegedly killed the father of Jackson’s children at her behest (WBRZ).
In Louisiana, a mother is facing accusations of plotting to have her children’s father murdered, allegedly urging her boyfriend to execute a deadly ambush after the father pursued custody and child support.
Hope Jackson has been detained and charged as an accessory to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Anthony Wesley Jr., who was shot to death last week.
Her boyfriend, 32-year-old Riddick Franklin, was previously arrested and charged with second-degree murder, according to a WBRZ report from a Baton Rouge ABC station. He also faces charges for illegal weapon use, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and obstructing justice.
On the morning of March 22, Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies responded to an emergency call at the Jefferson Lakes Apartments located on the 12000 block of Jefferson Highway. They discovered Wesley’s lifeless body lying on the sidewalk outside the apartment complex.
Through surveillance video analysis, investigators concluded that the shooter fired at Wesley from behind as he returned home. The assailant then stepped closer and discharged more rounds while standing over him, effectively carrying out an execution, as reported by WBRZ.
Detectives canvassed the area and identified a white Dodge Ram seen leaving shortly after the shooting. Using license plate data, they traced the vehicle to Franklin, who was later detained during a traffic stop. Detectives executed search warrants on the truck and Franklin’s residence, recovering a handgun, clothing consistent with what was reportedly seen in surveillance footage, and his cellphone.
During questioning, Franklin admitted to the killing, telling investigators he went to the victim’s home in an attempt to “squash the beef” and “cease fire,” but added that he was also “tired of being disrespected,” Unfiltered with Kiran, an unaffiliated website focusing on Louisiana news, reported, citing the probable cause affidavit.
Franklin reportedly told detectives that while attempting to speak with Wesley, he instead took out his gun and shot him multiple times. He then returned home, took the weapon apart, and washed the clothes he had been wearing, according to investigators.
As the investigation progressed, detectives uncovered evidence suggesting the killing was tied to a custody dispute involving Jackson.
Court records show Wesley had recently filed a petition for custody, visitation, and child support for the couple’s children, with a hearing scheduled in the coming weeks.
According to the arrest warrant, Franklin told investigators that Jackson had been upset about child support issues and the pending court case. He said she expressed concern about losing custody and told him she wanted Wesley “OV,” which investigators explained meant to “finish off or eliminate/kill someone,” per the Unfiltered story.
Investigators recovered messages from Franklin’s phone that allegedly show Jackson urging him to act. In one exchange, she wrote, “I want him OV,” and in others, she suggested time was running out and warned she would “lose everything” if Wesley was not taken care of.
WBRZ reported that Franklin said Jackson had “increased pressure” on him over the child support issue. He also recounted a statement Jackson allegedly made shortly before the killing, telling him, “I ain’t gone tell on you, you ain’t gone tell on me so we straight.”
Phone records reportedly showed the pair were in repeated contact in the hours surrounding the shooting, including calls and text messages both before and after the gunfire.
Investigators said Franklin waited in the parking lot of the apartment complex for hours until Wesley arrived home before gunning him down.
Both Jackson and Franklin are being held without bond and are scheduled to appear in court in April.