Michael Francke Murder Mystery Solved (Part Two)

When Mike first discovered the thefts of millions of dollars, he went to the Oregon State Police and to his boss, Governor Goldschmidt. He was dead the minute he first opened his mouth.

(SALEM) - In the last installment, we explained how easy it was for Frank Gable's own attorneys, and the trial Judge, to convict Frank Gable of murder.

Obviously, defense attorney Robert Abel fully never intended to let Frank testify at all. Right from the beginning, Abel was adamant that Frank not testify. Abel knew that he was hanging his client. That is why he was appointed to represent him in the first place. He was famous for it.

Later, Abel would attempt to weasel out of culpability by denying any wrongdoing. It is what all criminals do when they are caught with their pants down. In this case, his actions speak louder than his words.

Abel knows, from years of trial experience, that his client will be found guilty if the client does not testify. Even if, as he feebly tries to say, Frank was a bad witness, Abel had an obligation to attempt to remedy that situation.

An expert was hired with the expressed intent to turn Frank into a better witness. But Abel never lets the expert see Frank. That, too, proves that Abel intended to convict his own client. Abel hired the expert for show only.

The defense investigators were frequently at odds with Abel. Robert Abel was doing his best to create confusion and to hinder the investigation as much as possible. When any investigator started to get too close to the truth, Abel fired them. Later, one of the investigators would be assassinated by a police officer.

Actions speak louder than words. You know who Abel had the Investigators follow? They were ordered to follow Mike's brother, Kevin Francke, twenty-four hours a day. There was no legitimate reason for that.

Kevin had nothing to do with the murder. However, just as the government refused to let Frank Gable testify at his own trial, they wanted to make sure that nobody found out the truth. And the truth was that Mike was murdered because Mike found out that millions of dollars were being stolen from the Department of Corrections every few months.

At one point, State Police Officer Loren Glover even pulled over Kevin Francke and threatened to kill Kevin if Kevin did not stop trying to find out who killed his brother and why.

This is the same cop who drove Corrections Auditor, David Caulley out to Mike's house at 4:00 a.m. on January 18, 1989 (under orders from crime boss, Governor Neil Goldschmidt) to put Mike's handgun under Mike's pillow so as to make it look like Mike slept with his gun under his pillow. Criminals are not the brightest people. You see, nobody, except in a "B" movie, would ever/could ever sleep with a hard, lumpy gun under their soft pillow.

Aside from the fact that nobody could sleep with a gun under their pillow, there are other ways that we know that the gun was planted there. The most obvious was Mike's fears about being assassinated because he had discovered organized crime within the prison system. Mike applied for, and obtained, a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

He would place the gun in his glove compartment whenever at work because guns were not allowed inside the building. Yet, these thugs want you to believe that he left it at home on the most dangerous day of his life.

Mike's brothers had always maintained that Mike had told them that he was fearful for his life because of what he knew about prison officials being involved in that corruption.

Mike had even revealed to them that he had been issued, and had received training for, a riot gun (small shotgun). Mike was acutely aware that they would murder him and even said as much when he told his staff that "if they want to get you, they can." Those were some of his last words the day he was murdered.

Another way that we know Mike had his pistol in his glove box was because the police screwed up and told one of the witnesses to say so. Moreover, that state cop told the witness that Frank Gable had been a snitch (paid informant) for the Keizer (Oregon) police department. Since Frank had not snitched on anybody, thereby having to testify at their trial, the only way the witness could have known about Frank being a snitch was when the state police told him that.

By the way, the Oregon State Police went around and told virtually all of Frank's associates that Frank Gable had been a snitch for the Keizer police Department. The Keizer police had made the deal with Frank and got him out of jail.

They also paid his rent for one month. They wanted to be able to say that they had hired him as a snitch but never really used him as such. So, at the time they got him out June 30, 1989, they already knew that they were going to set Frank up for murder.

Nonetheless, the prosecution wanted us to believe that Frank Gable was able to get into Mike's car because Mike had left the car unlocked and failed to turn on his car alarm. No way would a man, especially a man fearful for his life, ever neglect to lock his car the day before he was to testify against corrupt prison officials.

When Mike first discovered the thefts of millions of dollars, he went to the Oregon State Police and to his boss, Governor Goldschmidt. Unbeknownst to Mike, these were the very people who were running the whole corrupt show. He was dead the minute he first opened his mouth.

In the next installment, we are going to prove, once and for all, that Governor Neil Goldschmidt was instrumental in the Conspiracy to murder Mike, was in charge of the coverup and subsequent Conspiracy to convict Frank Gable, and was party to the thefts of millions of dollars from the prison system. We even have his confession. You'll not want to miss that!

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Julee August 22, 2014 10:40 pm (Pacific time)

Can anybody tell me where frank is incarcerated??? He had a daughter in 1979 and I am raising 3 of her children who would love to know their grandfather. Even if only by pen pal

Rob Taylor July 1, 2013 4:35 pm (Pacific time)

You're asking if Frank knew any of the five guys from the State Hospital (who were on their way to AA/NA that night)? And you would believe what "anyone" would tell you? Why don't you ask Frank?

Rob Taylor July 1, 2013 2:38 pm (Pacific time)

Wrong about what John? You could find the murder weapon with the blood of Francke and Natividad on it and it would still be years before Frank got out. The Marion County DA's office would stall things the first year or two just arguing against making it admissible. They do it all the time with DNA evidence. The rules change after you've been convicted.

John Atkins June 30, 2013 12:11 pm (Pacific time)

In a way, the State had removed the death penalty at the first sentencing. You may recall that the jury answered the first three questions in the affirmative. The fourth question, the one that would have brought the death penalty, was answered in the negative. After that, Frank was never really in any danger of getting the death penalty.
But what the hell do I know!

John Atkins June 30, 2013 11:41 am (Pacific time)

You're wrong Rob. In weeks 4 and 5 I will prove Frank innocent. In week 10, I will prove who really killed Mike. KInda hard for the courts to argue with that. In the meantime, since Stormy won't answer me, does anybody know if Frank knew any of the five guys from the State Hospital (who were on their way to AA/NA that night)?

A Forever Bro! June 29, 2013 10:39 am (Pacific time)

Hey bro, I know your receiving these articles each week. Leavin this message for you! i hear congrats are in order Frank! So congrats, I know you deserve to marry, and be in love as any of us do, Bro! You been together for a bit now. So I am happy that you found your True Love, as you so delightfully put it, and that you have never felt like this before. Hear she's quite amazing, and Beautiful too! Happy for you Bro! And looks like you got alot of support here, People who actually do believe in justice for you Frank, that have a goal here, to see you free, and finally setting things right, not only for you, but to show others who may be fighting a fight like yours, to know there are people in this world, who just step up and say right is right, and wrong is wrong. So Congrats my friend on your upcoming marriage and NEVER stop believing!!! Thanks to John and Tim for caring enough, to be Bold enough, to just flat lay it out there in those crooked S.O.B's Faces and saying all we want now, is Final Justice!!! ONWARD!!!

justice... June 29, 2013 12:56 am (Pacific time)

John. I know a person who was framed one court room over at the time as frank. we should talk.

correction June 28, 2013 5:00 pm (Pacific time)

Oh and by the way, it was sorta a sick joke. Because if he had won this case, they would of been prepping him for the parole board. So makes you go hummmmm, could the state have known ahead of time they would win? After all that's happened do we really need to guess at that answer? Know what i mean?

correction June 28, 2013 4:53 pm (Pacific time)

Yes, the state removed the death penalty one month before his September 17th hearing in 2012. Yes, if the case had not been affirmed, He would of been eligible for parole, whenever that would of occurred anyhow. Surprisingly the State of Oregon, did take the Death Penalty off the table, they chose not to put it forth. Hum, maybe because they already knew they would win and it did not matter anyhow. They had their reasons I am positive. Y.W for the heads up. It's a fact!!!

Rob Taylor June 28, 2013 2:28 pm (Pacific time)

@correction...if that's true then it would've eliminated the need for a new jury for resentencing, correct? The life without simply turns into life with? That has me scratching my head wondering "why would they bother to do that." Kinda like a sick joke, because if you're Frank you're thinking if I win this I'm not gonna have to wait another year while they convene a sentencing jury, and I don't have to worry about being sentenced to death. I'm just automatically eligible for parole. I'm assuming the "actual hearing" you referred to is this last hearing? There were a few on this issue. Thanks for the heads up.

correction June 28, 2013 10:57 am (Pacific time)

By the way Rob, the state had removed the death penalty from the table, so it would of been if he had won, reduced to with parole. The state removed the death penalty a month before the actual hearing! Just some F.Y.I.

Rob Taylor June 28, 2013 9:14 am (Pacific time)

Well, if God is going to bring him home I guess we're all just wasting our time. When do you think He might get around to it?

just a cry for justice June 27, 2013 8:12 pm (Pacific time)

They say the Oregon rain will get you down
But i hunger for the freshness of it's sound
The wind, the sun, the things that i have known before
Now seem like faded ghosts, like shadows on the floor.

I lived in Oregon, it was my home
I loved the trees, the hills, the places i have roamed
I long to be there, I long to be there with my own kind.

Let me roam endless hours on my own
Take me home, back to where green trees grow
I feel so lonely and forgotten in this place
I'm losing hope, my mind is troubled by others disgrace.

I lived in Oregon, Oregon was my home
I love the trees, the hills, the places i have roamed
I long to be there, I long to be with my own kind.

I've painted pictures on the blank walls of my cell
I've walked through countless dreams, no mortal words can tell
I feel so lonely and forgotten as i could be
My heart is crying out to those who hold the key.

I lived in Oregon, and Oregon was my home
I loved the trees, the hills, the places i used to roam
I long to be there, I long to be with my own kind
But I can't seem to get back home!!!

Godspeed Frank! Your always in our thoughts and prayers. Keep up the faith, God will bring you back, to your home!

(Editor: And for those of you not familiar with this song, please read Bonnie King's article, Oregon (I can't go home): The Rest of the Story

surprised June 27, 2013 4:23 pm (Pacific time)

Anyone really surprised here? come on now, they are state paid right? Least he can get into federal court now. J.A. is working it here too, aren't ya J.A.? Let's see what gives. Iv'e heard the saying, but boy would i love to actually see it happen, you know, heads are going to roll. Let's start with the biggest one okay J.A. Take'em down. Line'em up. Put'em away!

Rob Taylor June 27, 2013 11:55 am (Pacific time)

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20130627/UPDATE/130627010/Frank-Gable-convicted-1989-murder-corrections-director-Francke-will-remain-prison?nclick_check=1

And so it goes.

On a 3-1 vote, the court rejected Gable’s latest legal argument for post-conviction relief as part of a series of proceedings dating back to 1995. Three justices did not participate.

No surprise here. This argument has been a complete waste of time. The best that could've come from it was a resentencing with two options...the death penalty or life with the possibility of parole. So the win would've been the possibility for parole. He never would've made his first parole which his timeline would've made him eligible for last year I believe. Nor his second or third probably. Not with his criminal record.

But the real kicker here is "if and when" he ever got his parole it would be straight to the Fed joint to serve a seven year sentence for a gun charge he was convicted on that runs consecutive to his state charges.

I've said this so many times before...the best chance Frank has in the appellate process is in the Fed court. If not for this argument stalling the fed appeals process for so long he would've already been heard in Fed court by now.

Frank is his own worst enemy. He could've prevented this by not pursuing this argument. And frankly, it's not an argument an innocent man should be pursuing.

all true June 27, 2013 9:15 am (Pacific time)

Damn straight corruption exists. I know first hand of it. My father-in-law was a top detective and as crooked as they come, and he would even brag about it at family functions. The man even shot his wife's chin off with a 357.mag. Not one thing came of it either. Evil and corrupt, the police are, and all their higher ups, i say for the many doubters, and honestly not to sure that many doubt a corrupt system anymore, but i say to the doubters that are left. OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE!!!! It's all for real! I say to you John, you got the proof and are calling them out, it's about frickin time some one had the gusto, we'll say, to help the one man who was their scapegoat, to save their own corrupt sick asses! YOU GO JOHN!

Chris Petersen June 26, 2013 10:34 am (Pacific time)

Right there at the dome building was the worst possible place they could've performed the hit. Every time I drive down Center St. I think about this Francke thing, and I know I'm not the only one. I wonder if they realized they were going to undermine the authority of the entire state government when they did this. Now we got Downs, Guzek, and God knows who else sitting there in prison too along with Frank Gable. All of which are turning out to be complete BS stories the authorities told us. Exiting times. Somebody let me know when its time to bring out the pitchforks and restore the rule of law in Oregon before we slip into a complete anarchy.

Chris Petersen June 25, 2013 8:45 pm (Pacific time)

Omg this is some explosive material. Everyone needs to see this. This was the first head of corrections ever murdered in the history of America btw. Wow. I don't see any way I'm gonna be able to keep my mouth shut about this. If you live in Salem and you don't know about the Francke Scandal you don't know anything. Randy Guzek is another guy who's actually on death row that not many people know about. No evidence he murdered anyone except his dirtbag dad and dad's two lacky's false snitching in exchange for lighter sentences.

John Atkins June 25, 2013 5:31 pm (Pacific time)

p.s., I don't bluff.

John Atkins June 25, 2013 5:30 pm (Pacific time)

I understand that you meant no insult. You were on a fishing expedition based on the presumption that I, myself, did not contact the agencies I referred you to. Benny Hill said it best when he stated that "When you assume something, you make an ass out of u and me." I am probably the dumbest man on the planet. However, my alter ego has taken steps to make sure that Frank gets out. It may not save my life, but that is secondary. I believe in what I am doing. It is the right thing to. My appeal to people to contact the feds and foreign agencies is the only hope Frank has. I can expose them. I know the names of most, if not all, of the players. But it is suicidal to go it alone. Look at Mike.
Many are of the opinion that contacting Frank's lawyer(s) is the only solution. I hate lawyers. Everything I know is stuff that was known by Frank's many lawyers. Have any of those crooks gotten him anywhere near out? Hell no. You all think lawyers are Gods or something? You think they are honest? Do you think that any of those lawyers is gong to buck the system in order to see justice prevail? Will they give up their jobs to help Frank? This is real life; screw Hollywood.
FYI, I have sent copies of my books to 33 people all over the world so that they will step up to the plate in the event that the crooks shut down either Tim or myself. Had I not done that, these animals could kill me and/or Tim, lock us up in some looney bin, or block us from the internet. This train will not be stopped until Frank gets home.
It is okay if you disagree with my plan. This is America and I, myself, will defend your right to disagree. But, please, give it a chance before you condemn it.

curious June 25, 2013 4:09 pm (Pacific time)

I asked a question, yes. I was curious, yes! Was no insult thrown out at you, ok. I simply asked why you could not do the same. Was curious. There was no insult in question intended. But i will say this to you, i hope you get what you are fishing for with these corrupt asses, but they could call your bluff, Mr. Atkins. I do pray your ready for that next step, these corrupt asses, don't seem to think they are touchable, look how many years they have gotten away with this crap, and sunk an innocent man to a life of confinement. Don't get me wrong, i am 100% hoping and praying, it actually works out your way. But no insult was intended, i was simply curious. But i do forgive your insulting me. Good Luck. Alot of people are scanning this, and trust me Mr. Atkins, or fingerprints are all over your back, pushing you onward with justice for Frank Gable. So Peace and safety be with you. You may not be a Messiah, but i assure you, God works through people. Have a Blessed Day.

John Atkins June 25, 2013 2:23 pm (Pacific time)

In college, I learned that there were no such thing as dumb questions. This one, however, comes perilously close. No offense, but what the hell gave you the idea that I have not covered my ass by doing just exactly that? I am one voice. That is like a gentle breeze on a violent seashore. Besides, I am not the Messiah. If I try to walk on water, I sink just like everyone else. Or do I? I put my life on the line and you insult me by asking why I do not do more? Seriously?

curious June 25, 2013 5:40 am (Pacific time)

Mr. Atkins, i have a question for you? you just told what the hay's comment to go to the U.S Congress, and or the United Nations Amnesty Int. i Could ask the same of you, why have you not taken what you have to these same people? Just little curious is all. You know that you would give that advice, but not use it yourself. confused? yes.

John Atkins June 24, 2013 10:13 pm (Pacific time)

In response to what the hay, it isn't about me or books. I seek the fastest way to get Frank out. Jumping out of the bushes, pounding on my chest, and all of that may appeal to your primal senses. However, we are talking about organized crime. Do you want to get into a pissing contest with these thugs? They own the courts, the cops, the whatever. What are you holding? What the hell do you think I am holding (other than knowledge)?
I will, and can, prove these things. But the reality is we/they need time to discover that we know and they need time to make an informed decision. By the end of the ten weeks, if they have not gotten Frank out, they will regret it. If you want a faster route, sorry. Meanwhile, instead of lambasting me for not being a martyr, why don't you write emails to the United States Congress, the United Nations, Amnesty International, etc.
Next week's installment will expose the top guy, Neil Goldschmidt. Send that evidence to Congress. If they finally realize that we can prove everything, using their own evidence, they'll free Frank.
Meantime, have a little faith and let Tim and I get the job done.

what the hay! June 24, 2013 3:12 pm (Pacific time)

An innocent man has been in prison for 23 yrs, and you got the proof to get him out? what the hay are you waiting for? If you have evidence why keep that to yourself? Are you bartering? why would you and i do not care what the reason is you have. why would you let him sit there another dam day? This isn't a game, this is an innocent man sitting there 23 yrs, and counting. what the hay? Are you serious? If i had that type of proof, corruption or not, Michael Francke died without being able to tell what he knew. why would you sit on something you have? That is not justice for Michael Francke., or Frank Gable. why play cat and mouse? Why Don't you just spill it to one person who can get the job done? I am really seeing what is happening here. Please don't just hope these goons are going to free Frank Gable. You have to look beyond this, Mr. Atkins. No ones life is worth a story, or a book, or being to scared to go to someone, you surely know that someone to go to. Him spending one more day in prison, until what you get what you need out of it? That is amoral. No if you say you have this proof, why not end Mr Gables nightmare?

follower. June 24, 2013 11:41 am (Pacific time)

I have been following this story for quite some time. I cannot believe that there has been no one, that has been able to free this innocent man. It shocks me to the core. Not one judge or lawyer, courts, or attorney generals, or governors, can do something? Oh i forgot, we don't have any that are good.Well John, i suppose that leaves you to get him out. Can you honestly do that? I am sure this man has heard it all before. Maybe you John will be the one. You think?

really? June 24, 2013 6:44 am (Pacific time)

I think if these crooked officials were smart and didn't want their own vile crap exposed more, then they better figure out a way to get frank gable is freedom, A.S.A.P if not they are dumb crooked crooks. They need to set this innocent man free now, let him go home, you have made him pay for your own crap long enough! to you John, they don't want to do that, yeah expose it all, expose the hell out of all of them then.

crazy June 24, 2013 2:52 am (Pacific time)

All these no good corrupt people should be going down, but maybe instead you corrupt jerks could just release Frank Gable, how bout we settle for that, step up and get it done, Let him go free. You all owe it to him.

[Return to Top]

Michael Francke Murder Mystery Solved (Part Two)

Quick Links

DINING

MUST SEE SALEM

AUCTIONS - APPRAISALS

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

ONLINE SHOPPING

Advertise with Salem-News