By Jim Muir
A May 9 pre-trial hearing has been set for Michael Romani, the 45-year-old Sesser man charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of John Franklin, also of Sesser.
During a preliminary hearing Wednesday afternoon in Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Tom Tedeschi heard testimony from state police concerning the December 27, 2012 bar fight that left the left the the 56-year-old Franklin dead.
A state police investigator testified during the hearing that his investigation, which included interviews with four individuals in the bar who witnessed the incident, showed that there was a verbal exchange between the two men and that Romani left the area of the bar where he was at and struck Franklin in the face, knocking him backward off a bar stool where his head hit the floor. Franklin never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead a short time later at Franklin Hospital from blunt force trauma to the head. It was also reported during the preliminary hearing that Franklin suffered from a serious heart condition.
Tedeschi ruled from the evidence presented that probable cause exists that a felony was committed by Romani and set the May 9 pre-trial court date.
The involuntary manslaughter charge against Romani is a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 2-5 years in prison. The aggravated battery charge is also a Class 3 felony and carries the same maximum sentence. Both charges also can result in probation on the minimum end of the sentencing guideline.
The fight took place at the Bank of Sesser Lounge, located on Sesser’s business district. The bar was closed for more than a week but has since reopened after the fatal fight.
Romani turned himself into Franklin County authorities a short time after the incident and later posted $20,000 cash bail and was released. Romani is being represented by Drew & Drew Attorneys in Benton.
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