Robert Fry (murderer)
Robert Fry | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1973 or 1974 (age 51) |
| Convictions | First degree murder (4 counts) Kidnapping Attempted rape Tampering with evidence Larceny Intimidation of a witness |
| Criminal penalty | Death, commuted to life imprisonment + 3 more life sentences |
| Details | |
| Victims | 4 |
Span of crimes | 1996–2000 |
| State | New Mexico |
Robert Fry is an American serial killer who was sentenced to death for the murder of a woman in 2000. He was also convicted of three additional murders that date back to 1996. In 2019, ten years after New Mexico repealed the death penalty, his death sentence was commuted to life.[1]
Case details
[edit]Fry, along with Leslie Engh, were initially arrested for the murder of Betty Lee in 2000, who was found bludgeoned and stabbed to death in San Juan County. The two offered Lee a ride after they saw her at a payphone.[2] From there, they killed her after attempting to rape her. Police were able to connect the pair to the murder through DNA evidence as well as shoe imprints and tire tracks.[3] Sometime after his arrest, Fry was linked to the murders of Donald Tsosie, Matthew Trecker and Joseph Fleming, the latter two of whom were killed at a store in Farmington.[4] In 2002, Fry was convicted of Lee's murder and was sentenced to death. He was also sentenced to life for Tsosie's murder.[5] In 2005, Fry received two more life sentences for the murders of Trecker and Fleming. He was additionally convicted of larceny, tampering with evidence and intimidation of a witness in connection with the double murder.[6]
Subsequent developments
[edit]Despite New Mexico repealing the death penalty in 2009, Robert Fry, along with Timothy Allen remained on death row. However, in June 2019, the New Mexico Supreme Court vacated their death sentences which were then commuted to life without parole.[7] Allen had been on death row for the 1994 kidnapping, sexual assault murder of 17-year-old Sandra Phillips.[8]
Victims
[edit]Robert Fry killed four people over the span of four years.[9]
- Joseph Fleming, 25 - November 28, 1996, Farmington
- Matthew Trecker, 18 - November 28, 1996, Farmington
- Donald Tsosie, 40 - April, 1998, San Juan County
- Betty Lee, 36 - June, 2000, San Juan County
Fry's accomplice, Leslie Engh, was present for the murders of Tsosie and Lee. He was convicted of first degree murder for their deaths and is currently in prison.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Lee, Morgan (June 28, 2019). "New Mexico sets aside final 2 death sentences". The Associated Press. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ "STATE v. FRY (2005)". FindLaw.
- ^ "State v. Fry". Vlex.
- ^ "Convicted Murderer Faces Trial For More Killings". KOAT-TV. January 5, 2005. Retrieved March 3, 2005.
- ^ Haywood, Phaedra (April 10, 2018). "Lawyers plead for lives of last 2 death row prisoners". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ "Death Row Inmate Found Guilty Of 1996 Double Murder". KOAT-TV. January 21, 2005. Retrieved March 3, 2005.
- ^ Lee, Morgan. "New Mexico Supreme Court vacates death penalties for Timothy Allen, Robert Fry". The Associates Press. Las Cruses Sun-News. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ Knapp, Rachel; McKee, Chris (June 28, 2019). "New Mexico Supreme Court vacates death sentence for last 2 inmates on death row". KRQE. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ Barker, Larry (October 31, 2013). "Killer walks halls as execution stalled". KRQE. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ "Offender Information". New Mexico Corrections Department.