New Details in Franks’ Latest Indictment
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Despite an original report that suspended Haywood High School teacher Chanda Franks was indicted on 21 counts in Madison County, she was actually only charged with 12 counts. The Jackson Police Department says a clerical error on information given to their investigators is to blame for the inaccuracy in their Thursday release. Franks, 34, of Jackson, stands charged in Madison County with five counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, six counts of sexual battery by an authority figure and one count of coercion of a witness involving an underage female student. The indictment papers, filed this week, alleges six separate encounters at Franks’ Jackson home between her and her then 14-year-old student. She is alleged to have raped and sexually abused the girl, one time between December 1 and 25, 2010, again between December 25 and 31, 2010, on January 8, January 10, and January 15. On February 27, she is accused of one count of sexual battery involving the girl at her home. The indictment also alleges between March 20 and May of 2011, Franks tried to convince the teen to change her story about their relationship, resulting in the coercion of a witness charge. “It’s early on in the cases,” said Mark Donahoe, Franks’ defense attorney. “We only know what her allegations are at this point. I assure you there is a different side to this story.” Donahoe went on to say that they look forward to the opportunity when Franks’ case can be presented. Franks was previously indicted on 19 similar charges in Haywood County, involving the same 14-year-old girl. Franks is scheduled to make her first court appearance on all 12 new counts, Monday morning.
