The Investigators - Franklin Delano Floyd

[wiseguy182]

This aired on t.v. once.

[gluserty]

I'm glad that "The Investigators" profiled this case, because it is one of the most bizarre, complex, maddening, and sad cases that I have heard in my life. I recorded that episode myself a few years ago and watched it again recently. I also purchased and read the book "A Beautiful Child" by Matt Birkbeck, which is a really tough read. Hopefully someone who reads the book, views the UM segment, or the aforementioned "The Investigators" episode can provide some answers to 'Sharon Marshall' and her true identity (no DNA matches yet), and the remains of her son Michael Hughes (I'm almost positive Floyd killed him). By the way, Franklin Floyd is infuriating and vile.

[WishfulDreamer]

I also agree that FDF more than likely murdered Michael. He told that story to his sister about drowning him in the bathtub and while he makes up lies all the time to look good, I don't think he would tell a lie that cast evil on him, not being the arrogant figure he is. A Beautiful Child was a great, but as gluserty said, tough book to read due to the graphic content. UM also didn't go into detail about the woman FDF murdered besides "Sharon" and the details into that crime are so horrid I can't write them here. I felt sick after reading the book, but it is a real eye-opener at how full of crap FDF is. Won't tell where Michael is "because [others] don't have a right to cherish him"? Pure bull.

[Kane]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

I'm thinking it might not have been known yet. The UM segment originally aired on 12/15/95, and was recorded sometime before then. I know the other woman Floyd murdered, Cheryl Ann Commesso, wasn't discovered until 1995. Her remains that is. So it's possible UM didn't know that info at the time the segment was filmed.

After a little research, I learned that Cheryl's remains were found in March 1995, but were not positively identified as hers until November 1997 - two years after the segment originally aired.

[wiseguy182]

Originally Posted by Kane

After a little research, I learned that Cheryl's remains were found in March 1995, but were not positively identified as hers until November 1997 - two years after the segment originally aired.

ah, thanks for confirming that.

[WishfulDreamer]

My mistake, it's been almost two years since I read the book and I had forgotten. Thank you both for correcting me!

[wiseguy182]

Originally Posted by WishfulDreamer

Won't tell where Michael is "because [others] don't have a right to cherish him"?

And then he gets that real stupid look on his face and it was at that point I wanted to reach through the screen and give him a good neck wringing.

[gluserty]

I hear that; his face would make a mighty fine punching bag. Heck, if Michael was still living, he wouldn't be interested in him anyway; anyone over the age of 9 is off limits to Floyd.

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

-Merle Bean was briefly seen in the UM segment, along with her husband. I'm not even sure she is seen speaking in the UM segment, if so, it is very brief. She appears on screen much more on this show. She stated that she believed Floyd would kidnap Michael after spotting a blue truck parked outside her house, obscured by several bushes. She contacted authorities and asked if Floyd had a blue truck, which he did in fact have. She said authorities ignored her. She also stated that they were in the process of trying to adopt Michael, and that when he was taken to the prison to visit Floyd, and that Michael didn't want to see him, but Floyd insisted on seeing his "son". Merle also stated that Michael claimed he was forced to wait at home or in the car at night while Floyd watched Sharon strip at her job.

In the book, 'A beautiful child,' it states in detail the emotional turmoil that Michael was going through when he was sent to the Beans. He rarely if ever spoke in the beginning. He had trouble interacting with other people. He would wake up in the night screaming and crying. He was a complete mess, a severely, emotionally damaged little boy. Being under Floyd's care had completely screwed him up. But once Michael was with the Beans in a stable home, they eventually were able to bring him out of his shell. They got him to the point where he could be with other children at school. He could talk and he even was starting to laugh. He had come such a long way when that monster kidnapped him from his school. Just one of many tragedies attached to this whole saga.

[MegtheEgg86]

I personally don't support the death penalty, but FDF has always definitely made me deeply consider the opposing position.

[RobinW]

I get so conflicted in my views about the death penalty when it comes to a monster like Floyd. I mean, if anyone deserves it, it's definitely him, but at the same time, I feel that Floyd would take sadistic pleasure in being executed without having to reveal the truth about Michael or Sharon and that he'd almost consider it a personal victory.

[gluserty]

I'm not really in favor of the death penalty, since i feel it gives the convicted an easy way out. As the guy profiled on UM, G. Daniel Walker said, "once you're dead, that's it". As Floyd goes, he once stated that if people knew what he "rescued" 'Sharon Marshall' from, they would pin a metal on him. Yeah, I'm thinking something metal alright, but more along the lines of a heavy pipe. I'm satisfied with the fact that this smug sicko is spending his days locked up, he doesn't need to be iced. But beaten up at least once a month? I'm all for it.

[wiseguy182]

Is it just me, or was the principal in Michael's school a bit of a coward? I know that if I were the principal and Floyd flashed a gun demanding to be given Michael, I would have either wrested the gun away from him or died trying. Perhaps that sounds a bit dramatic, but I wouldn't turn over an elementary school child to a gun toting maniac so quickly, especially given that something bad obviously happened to Hughes. Heck, Floyd could have started shooting up the whole school.

[gluserty]

I don't know, it's a tough call. I really don't think the principal was prepared for that situation AT ALL, so his mind may have been on autopilot the whole time. Also, maybe he was thinking that if he tried to be a hero the situation would have worsened.

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by gluserty

I don't know, it's a tough call. I really don't think the principal was prepared for that situation AT ALL, so his mind may have been on autopilot the whole time. Also, maybe he was thinking that if he tried to be a hero the situation would have worsened.

That's what I thought. Perhaps he felt Floyd would go on to shoot staff and children if he intervened.

It's not everyday someone gets a weapon pointed at them. I don't fault the vast majority of people for compliance or inaction under those circumstances, especially if they feel their moral obligation is to stay alive in order to prevent others from being harmed or to help them once out from under the firearm.