Suspect asks slain girl's family for forgiveness

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA - A man suspected of raping and killing Jessica Carpenter has asked the teenager&#39;s family for forgiveness. <br> <br> Robert Franklin Atkins wrote in a letter to The Augusta (Georgia) Chronicle, ``I&#39;d like to say I am very, very sorry. I&#39;d like to say that I wish there was some way that I could undo the terrible thing that was done on that most sad day. I would like to ask for their forgiveness.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The 31-year-old Atkins was charged with murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct after investigators said DNA found at Carpenter&#39;s home, where her body was discovered in August 2000, matched a sample from Atkins. <br> <br> Aiken investigators have said Atkins met the 17-year-old girl while he worked as a driver for a now-defunct delivery service in Augusta. <br> <br> Writing from state prison in Reidsville, Georgia, Atkins wrote, ``I sit in my cell day after day and ask myself, &#39;Why?&#39;&#39;&#39; <br> <br> He wrote that he did not remember raping or hurting ``the young lady.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The Carpenter family refused to comment on Atkins&#39; letter. <br> <br> Prosecutor Barbara Morgan has not said whether she would seek the death penalty in the case. <br> <br> But Atkins wrote, ``Even if the prosecutors do not seek the death penalty, I&#39;ll push for it.&#39;&#39;