Otha Franklin
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A Wausau man accused of providing the drugs that led to a fatal overdose in 2020 avoided a jury trial at the last possible moment on Monday by pleading to a lesser count.
On what was supposed to be day one of a week-long trial, Otha Franklin pleaded no contest to one count of second-degree reckless homicide by delivery of drugs, a step down from the first-degree charge he had been facing. In exchange, 19 additional counts across five open cases were dismissed but read into the record.
The 47-year-old was snorting pills with the victim during a house party in the summer of 2020. When the victim started having a seizure, a third person suggested calling for help. Franklin advised against that, and later left the party with the drugs.
Autopsy results showed the victim died from a toxic mix of drugs. Franklin was immediately named as a suspect but remained at large for years. He was finally taken into custody in the spring of 2024.
Among the charges that were dismissed are being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of cocaine, obstructing an officer, burglary, and multiple counts of felony bail jumping. Those will be considered at sentencing, which is scheduled for Friday.
Franklin faces up to 25 years in prison on the amended count. He had been facing more than 50 years in prison if found guilty at trial on the original charge.
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