Drugged Driver Granted Parole after Killing Young Newlyweds in Sevier County

SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) - A man convicted in a wreck that claimed two lives will be released on parole. The state parole board granted that release for Larry Williamson.

In 2006, police said Williamson had drugs in his system when he crossed the center line of state route 411 and struck Brandon and Jenilyn Franklin.

"It was more like losing a brother than it was a cousin," said Bryan Franklin a cousin.

It's been more than a decade since family said goodbye to the couple. They had only been married a few weeks before they died.

"It was definitely an overwhelming feeling. Me and Brandon, well all of us, had been really close," said Franklin.

Franklin said this loss has taken a toll on the family. He found forgiveness though just a few years after the crash. Brandon's mom was not happy to hear he was granted parole.

"I don't agree with the parole decision. My son is gone because of him. I miss them every day. He took them from us. He should spend 20 plus years away from his family. He can see his family when he gets out. I will never be able to see my son again," said Sharon Denton, Brandon's mom.

Williamson will be out in early October but that comes with some conditions. He must complete group therapy before being released. He will go to a halfway house and he'll be supervised until his sentence is over in 2020.

http://www.wate.com/news/local-news/drugged-driver-granted-parole-after-killing-young-newlyweds-in-sevier-county/1223490498