PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In 1989, the state of Oregon was gripped by the shocking murder of its prison system director, Michael Francke.
Thirty years later, the case still grabs headlines, as was the recent case when Frank Gable, the man convicted of slaying Francke, was ordered to be released by a federal magistrate judge pending the state of Oregon’s retrial.
Take an interactive look at some of the Oregonians who became key players in the case:
Who’s who in the Francke-Gable case
Michael Francke
Oregon’s top prison official, murdered outside of state offices
Frank Gable
Convicted in Francke’s murder
Gov. Neil Goldschmidt
Hired Michael Francke, commissioned Warden Report
Judge John C. Warden
Appointed by Goldschmidt to review corruption allegations within Oregon’s prison system after Francke’s murder
Johnny Crouse
Allegedly confessed to killing Michael Francke
Bob Able
Frank Gable’s defense attorney
John Storkle
Gable’s defense attorney
Karen Steele
Gable’s defense attorney; married Gable during the trial
Kevin Francke
Michael Francke’s brother
Dale Penn
Marion County District Attorney
Tom Bostwick
Marion County Asst. DA, prosecuted Gable
Sarah Moore
Marion County Asst. DA, prosecuted Gable
Larry Seeley
Marion County Deputy who testified for Gable’s defense
Dr. Larry Lewman
Performed autopsy on Michael Francke
Judge Greg West
Marion County judge who presided over Gable’s trial
Mike Keerins
Claimed that Gable bragged about killing Michael Francke
Jodi Swearingen
Told grand jury she witnessed Gable kill Francke, but recanted on stand
Dick Petersen
Francke’s top assistant, led search party for Francke night of murder
Chuck Sides
Former lawmaker and friend of Francke, said state officials didn’t seem to want to solve Francke’s murder
Hoyt Cupp
Oregon State prison warden, worked for Francke at DOC, implicated in Kellcy affidavit
Jenine Gable
Frank Gable’s ex-wife, testified for prosecution
Scott McAlister
Fallout with Francke and quit job 2 weeks before murder, moved to Utah 2 weeks after murder
Evelyn Meeks
Michael Francke’s office assistant
Tom Denny
Head of the grand jury that was presented evidence in Francke’s murder
Fred Pearce
Replaced Francke at Oregon Department of Corrections
Tom Toombs
Preceded Francke at Oregon Department of Corrections
Click here for more coverage of the project, including podcasts and an interactive timeline.