A Chenango County father accused of killing his adopted son will face trial this week. Jury selection in the murder and arson trial of Ernest Franklin begins today in Chenango County Court. He’s accused of killing his son Jeffrey last year. Prosecutors say Ernest and his wife Heather watched a movie called “Manchester by the Sea”. In it, the main character in the movie accidentally burns down his home and kills his children. He wasn’t charged by police. According to court documents, police believe after watching that movie the Franklins worked together to kill Jeffrey and then they set fire to their home. Heather Franklin is also charged in the boy’s death. She’ll face trial later this year.
