Introduction to the Incident
Arlington police said Wednesday that they have arrested the husband of a 53-year-old woman who was found stabbed to death earlier this week in her backyard. Police obtained a warrant for the arrest of Frederick Spears, 55, on a murder charge, according to a news statement from the department.
The Arrest of Frederick Spears
Officials said authorities found Spears on Tuesday in the 1600 block of North Davis Drive, and as they approached him, he got “a knife and began stabbing himself.” Officers gave Spears “multiple commands to drop the knife,” but he did not comply, police said. He finally released the knife — after officers used tasers, less lethal rounds and a Grand Prairie police dog — and was taken into custody. Grand Prairie police and members of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force assisted in Spears’ apprehension.
Spears’ Injuries and Arrest
Spears was taken to a hospital, where he was recovering from his injuries, police said. No officers were injured during his arrest. The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face every day.
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Related Incidents
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The Discovery of Mary Spears’ Body
On Monday, at about 9 a.m., police responded to a home in the 1000 block of Shortleaf Pine Drive after a family member of Mary Spears found her “unresponsive and bleeding in the backyard,” police said earlier. She was found with “multiple” stab wounds. Police said Mary was taken to a local hospital, where she died.
The Investigation
While investigating the incident, detectives learned that Spears and the victim had been married for several years but had grown estranged, according to the release. However, Mary had recently allowed her husband to stay at her home. On Sept. 17, Arlington police were called to Mary’s home in response to a report about a domestic disturbance. Police said Spears argued with another family member, during which he allegedly “grabbed two kitchen knives and used them to threaten” the family member.
Spears’ Previous Arrest
Spears was arrested and booked into the Arlington city jail on one count of aggravated assault family violence, according to police. He posted bail and was released the following day, police said. Investigators said Spears sent a “concerning” text message to one of Mary’s family members on the day she was found slain, which prompted a welfare check by the relative. Spears also sent messages to Mary’s phone and to others, implicating him in her death, according to officials.
The Department’s Response
Detectives also found during the investigation that immediately after Spears bailed out of jail on Sept. 18, he went to the main lobby of the city’s public safety center and asked the officer at the front desk for a ride back to Mary’s home, so he could get his vehicle. Another Arlington police officer took Spears to the home, and once he arrived, he got into a verbal dispute with family members, police said. The officer instructed Spears to leave the residence, and he did. Officials said as a condition of Spears’ bail, an emergency protective order was issued, prohibiting him from returning to Mary’s home or having contact with her and other family members.
Review of Police Procedures
“The department acknowledges that the officers should not have arranged transportation back to the home,” officials wrote in the news release. “Additionally, the department is conducting a comprehensive administrative review to determine whether changes to policy and/or procedures are necessary to ensure this does not happen again.”
Conclusion
The incident is a tragic reminder of the importance of addressing domestic violence and ensuring that those who are released on bail do not pose a threat to others. The Arlington police department’s review of their procedures is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that it will lead to changes that will prevent similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
Q: Who was arrested in connection with the murder of Mary Spears?
A: Frederick Spears, the husband of Mary Spears, was arrested and charged with murder.
Q: What happened when police approached Frederick Spears?
A: Spears got a knife and began stabbing himself, and officers had to use tasers, less lethal rounds, and a police dog to subdue him.
Q: Was Frederick Spears previously arrested for domestic violence?
A: Yes, Spears was arrested on Sept. 17 for aggravated assault family violence after he allegedly threatened a family member with kitchen knives.
Q: What is the Arlington police department doing in response to the incident?
A: The department is conducting a comprehensive administrative review to determine whether changes to policy and/or procedures are necessary to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again.
Q: What can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future?
A: It is important to address domestic violence and ensure that those who are released on bail do not pose a threat to others. This can involve providing support to victims of domestic violence, ensuring that those who are released on bail are properly monitored, and reviewing police procedures to ensure that they are effective in preventing similar incidents.
