Did Bertha Franklin truly act in self-defense, or was there a more sinister motive behind the tragic death of Sam Cooke? The circumstances surrounding the events of December 11, 1964, remain shrouded in mystery, fueling endless speculation and casting a long shadow over the life of the motel manager who pulled the trigger.
The official narrative paints a picture of a frantic night at the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, culminating in the shooting of the celebrated soul singer, Sam Cooke. According to Bertha Franklin, the motel's manager, Cooke had barged into her office in a rage, demanding information about a woman who had allegedly robbed him. Franklin claimed that Cooke attacked her, leaving her with no choice but to defend herself with a .22 caliber revolver.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bertha Franklin |
| Occupation at Time of Incident | Motel Manager, Hacienda Motel |
| Date of Incident | December 11, 1964 |
| Location of Incident | Hacienda Motel, Los Angeles, California |
| Victim | Sam Cooke |
| Claimed Motive | Self-Defense |
| Legal Outcome | Cooke's death ruled a justifiable homicide |
| Controversies | Conflicting accounts of the events; questioned credibility of witnesses |
| Further Reading | Sam Cooke Biography - Biography.com |
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