SCOTTSBORO, Ala., April 21 -- Suspected serial killer Frank T. Potts was sentenced Friday to life in prison for the slaying of an Indiana youth on Garrett Mountain in northern Alabama six years ago. Potts will not begin serving the sentence unless he completes a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years he is serving in Lakeland, Fla.
Potts was convicted April 14 of killing Robert Earl Jines, 19, in 1989. Jines' skeletal remains were found on the mountaintop near a cabin owned by Potts last March. Potts, 51, was charged in his death. Potts maintained he was innocent Friday, and spoke to Jines' family during a hearing. 'I am not guilty,' he said. 'I think it's important for the family to know I did not kill your son.' The family has expressed skepticism about the guilty verdict since it was announced last week. Potts already is serving the life term in Florida for sexually abusing a young girl. At one time, he was a suspect in 13 different murders or missing persons cases, but police so far have linked him only to Jines' death.
