An evil killer will probably die behind bars after being convicted of brutally murdering his California artist girlfriend and dragging her again inside their residence as she fought to flee after a date night time.
After a two-week trial, an Alameda County jury discovered 30-year-old Victor “Frito” Frieson III responsible of homicide and torture Monday for the killing of ceramic artist and poet Zoe Reidy Watts, in accordance with the Mercury Information.
Prosecutors mentioned the deadly assault unfolded after the couple returned to Frieson’s Oakland residence following a date at Johnny Foley’s Irish Home in San Francisco on March 1, 2024.
The pair had posted movies from the outing to an Instagram account the place they often shared restaurant critiques and different content material.
Investigators later used these movies to determine the timeline, noting Reidy Watts confirmed no seen bruises or cuts earlier than the couple left the restaurant.
They rode Bay Space Speedy Transit (BART) again to Frieson’s residence at 185 fifteenth St. in Oakland, arriving round 10:45 p.m.
Surveillance footage confirmed Reidy Watts “was strolling however was clearly struggling to keep up her steadiness, at one level falling sideways into the road,” in accordance with courtroom filings.
Prosecutors mentioned Frieson attacked her round midnight on March 1 or shortly earlier than midnight the next night time, leaving her coated in bruises, a number of cuts and a gash to her neck.
Throughout the assault, Reidy Watts tried to flee the residence, however surveillance video captured her ultimate moments as she staggered outdoors bare and badly injured earlier than collapsing simply past the doorway, in accordance with courtroom data.
The footage then confirmed Frieson dragging her again inside by the arm and shutting the door.
At his trial, Frieson testified in his personal protection. His legal professionals admitted he dedicated home violence towards Reidy Watts however argued he was not responsible of homicide or torture.
After the assault, prosecutors mentioned Frieson went to a neighbor’s residence, mentioned he wanted assist and led the neighbor to Reidy Watts’ physique whereas implying he didn’t understand how she had died. Prosecutors additionally argued he cleaned the residence earlier than looking for assist, calling it one other signal of guilt.
Jurors additionally heard that Frieson had assaulted earlier romantic companions and that Reidy Watts had tried to get safety from him simply months earlier than her loss of life.
The couple met in 2023 whereas Reidy Watts was a pupil at San Francisco State College and residing in her grandparents’ residence on Turk Avenue in San Francisco.
On the time, she was constructing a reputation for herself as a visible and performing artist, working as a ceramicist, clothes designer and humanities teacher.
Deputy District Legal professional Nick Homer wrote in courtroom filings that family and friends began noticing accidents on Reidy Watts quickly after she started relationship Frieson.
Simply six weeks earlier than the killing, she filed a home violence report with Oakland police. Homer wrote officers documented “two black eyes, and her legs have been coated in deep bruises.”
Frieson’s sentencing is tentatively set for mid-September.
