John Linley Frazier Trial: Final Verdict

KPIX News footage from December 30th 1971 with reporter Ben Williams featuring scenes from Redwood City where we hear in voiceover that the motions of John Linley Frazier's defense attorney James Jackson - for a new trial and that the death penalty be reduced - are denied by Judge Charles S. Franich. Frazier is sentenced to death in the gas chamber at San Quentin on five counts of first degree murder, for an incident last year in Soquel, CA. Afterwards, Jackson states: "I sincerely believe he's crazy and I think that it's unreasonable to think otherwise frankly." Prosecutor Peter Chang disagrees and tells Williams: "Yes, he's sane … He's a callous, calculating murderer." Ends with views of Frazier being led away by two guards and as he walks by, Williams asks: "Mr. Frazier, how do you feel about your sentence?" Frazier replies: "Well I don't know, what sentence?" and then chuckles quietly. Note that John Linley Frazier (aka The Killer Prophet) eventually hung himself in jail on August 13, 2009. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.