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Prosecutor says movie inspired couple to kill son

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April 13, 2017
This undated photo provided by the Chenango County Sherriffs Office shows Ernest Franklin. Franklin and his wife Heather are accused of killing their disabled adoptive son and covering up the crime with a house fire after watching the Oscar-winning movie 'Manchester by the Sea'. (Chenango County Sherriffs Office via AP)

NORWICH, N.Y. (AP):

A couple decided to kill their disabled adoptive son and cover up the crime with a house fire after watching the Oscar-winning movie Manchester by the Sea, according to the New York prosecutor handling the case.

Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride said that during a bail hearing for Ernest and Heather Franklin last week, Jeffrey Franklin, 16, was killed within two hours of the couple watching the film on February 28, two days after the movie won Academy Awards for best actor and best original screenplay.

McBride said that an examination showed that the teen died before the fire.

The Franklins are charged with second-degree murder, arson, and tampering with physical evidence.