NORWICH – The prosecution and defense gave closing statements on Friday, and within two-and-a-half hours the jury had convicted a Guilford man for the murder of his 16-year-old adopted son.

Prosecutors said at around midnight on March 1, 2017 at their home at 457 State Route 8 in the Town of Guilford, Ernest Franklin worked with his wife to kill their 16-year-old disabled son Jeffrey Franklin and burn the evidence. Franklin was convicted for second-degree murder, third-degree arson, and tampering with physical evidence.

His wife, Heather Franklin, has also pleaded not guilty to the charges and is expected to have her case presented before a jury in the next month.

Defense Attorney Veronica Gorman and District Attorney Michael Ferrarese gave closing statements, describing the night of the fatal fire.

Approximately two-and-a-half hours after closing statements, the jurors convicted Ernest Franklin for the murder of his adopted son, Jeffrey. Franklin’s sentencing will be at 9:30 a.m. on May 3 in Chenango County Court.

“If you look at every piece of this case together, all of the evidence, the GPS information, the fire investigator’s testimony, the autopsy report, the defendant and co-defendant's timelines, and the story of, “Manchester by the Sea,” you will find Ernest Franklin guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Ferrarese. “The evidence in this case proves that Jeffrey’s last breaths on this Earth were cut short by violent means.”