Otha Franklin
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A Wausau man suspected of providing the drugs that led to a fatal overdose five years ago will go to trial this summer.
Otha Franklin is accused of homicide by delivering drugs for allegedly providing the victim with pills, which the two snorted together during a house party in 2020. When the victim started having a seizure, Franklin discouraged others from calling for help.
The 47-year-old left the party the next morning. Another person found the victim unresponsive and called for help, but it was too late. The victim died from a toxic mix of drugs, according to an autopsy.
Franklin was on the run for four years before officers took him into custody in Milwaukee County. The case had been scheduled for trial beginning on February 3rd, but that was adjourned. He’ll now face a jury from August 4th through the 8th.
Two additional hearing dates were also scheduled: a June 25th motion hearing and a July 14th jury status conference.
Franklin faces up to 40 years in prison if found guilty on the most serious charge against him, first-degree homicide by recklessly delivering drugs. He faces multiple additional felony counts, including manufacturing heroin and manufacturing or delivering designer drugs.
He is being held in the Marathon County jail on a $100,000 bond.
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