Crime & Safety

Star-Ledger: Former Westfield Resident Killed Lena Triano

Carlton Franklin identified as suspect in the murder of Triano, who lived at 616 Ripley Place.

When Westfield police and the Union County Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of the suspect in the horrific murder of Lena Triano, the officials said that, because the suspect was a minor when he allegedly committed the homicide, he couldn't be identified. He would be tried as a minor and would be treated as a minor.

Overnight, however, a source close to the investigation told The Star-Ledger that the then-teenager who committed the crime is named Carlton Franklin, a man who eventually served a 20-year sentence for home-invasion robbery of a family. Franklin, who was released from prison in 1999, was arrested Monday at the oil company where he drove a truck. He was arrested without incident.

As Patch learns more details of the case, we will provide them immediately. If you went to school with Franklin or want to share your memories of Lena Triano, please leave a comment below or contact Local Editor Liz Alterman at liz.alterman@Patch.com.

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