Bio

Charles Douglas Raby was born on March 22, 1970. He grew up in Houston, Texas, where he lived with his mother. As a child, he faced many challenges. 

Raby had a difficult upbringing, marked by experiences of social and economic hardship. As he grew older, he struggled to find a steady path in life. He dropped out of school, which limited his opportunities for education and employment. His lack of direction and support from family contributed to his challenges as a young adult.

During his teenage years and into his early adulthood, Raby engaged in various activities that reflected his troubled background. He had run-ins with the law and a history of criminal behavior. People in his life noted signs of volatility, and he often associated with individuals who were involved in criminal activities.

Murder Story

On October 15, 1992, Charles Douglas Raby killed Edna Mae Franklin, a 72-year-old woman, in her Harris County, Texas home. Edna lived with her two grandsons, Eric Benge and Lee Rose. On that day, the grandsons left home shortly before 4:00 p.m. When Eric returned later, he found the front and back doors unlocked, the house in disarray, and Edna dead in the living room.

Police found Edna nude from the waist down and stabbed multiple times. The medical examiner could not confirm if she had been sexually assaulted. Her purse and other personal belongings were scattered throughout the home. Evidence at the scene suggested a struggle had occurred. A broken window served as a possible point of entry for the murderer.

Witnesses reported seeing Raby near the crime scene around the time of the murder. A neighbor saw a man resembling Raby walking away from her house later that evening. The police discovered Raby's black jacket at his girlfriend's home but found no evidence connecting it to the crime.

Raby was arrested on October 16, 1992. During questioning, he provided a statement detailing his whereabouts on the day of the murder. He later admitted to being inside Edna's home but claimed he did not remember some details because he was scared. He described a confrontation with Edna, stating he struggled with her and saw blood before leaving through the back door.

The investigation included DNA evidence from various items, including fingernail clippings and hair found at the scene. However, no blood or physical evidence was found that directly linked Raby to the murder. His trial concluded with a conviction, and he was sentenced to death on June 30, 1994.