The companion resource to the Wrongful Conviction podcast

The Case of Frank Gable

📻 Episode #555 🎙️ Hosted by Lauren Bright Pacheco 📅 Thu, 18 Dec 2025 📍 New Mexico
Still Imprisoned

The Case

Early on the morning of January 18, 1989, a security guard found the body of Michael Francke lying in a pool of blood on the floor of the North Portico of the Dome Building of Oregon State Hospital in Salem, OR. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a stab wound to the heart. Michael Francke - who had a background as a military man, former prosecutor and judge, and then head of the New Mexico Dept. of Corrections where he rooted out corruption - had been hired by Oregon Governor Mike Goldschmidt to do the same in Salem, OR. Four months later, Police received a tip that Frank Gable, a petty criminal and police informant, was involved. 11 months after that, several other police informants had come forward claiming Frank was involved. Based largely on their questionable testimony, Frank was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. To learn more and get involved: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-in-oregon/id1667171131https://www.loevy.com/ To get involved in helping exonerees like Frank Gable rebuild their lives after release: www.after-innocence.org

Resources & Links

Listen to the Episode

Episode #555 of the Wrongful Conviction podcast — hosted by Lauren Bright Pacheco

🔊 How You Can Help

If Frank is still fighting for justice, your voice matters. Consider sharing this case on social media, signing any active petitions, or contacting your representatives about wrongful conviction reform.

About the Wrongful Conviction Podcast

The Wrongful Conviction podcast, hosted by Jason Flom and Khaliah Ali (daughter of Muhammad Ali), has featured over 500 cases of men and women who spent years — sometimes decades — in prison for crimes they did not commit. The podcast has been downloaded over 70 million times and has directly influenced exonerations, clemencies, and criminal justice reform legislation across the country.