PD admits error after officer transports man back to victim’s home days before she was found with fatal stab wounds.
The family of a Texas woman murdered just days after a police officer gave her estranged husband a ride back to her home, in violation of a court order, has announced plans to sue the Arlington Police Department (APD).
Mary Spears, 53, was found dead in her backyard on September 22 with multiple stab wounds. Her son, 19-year-old Ashton Spears, found her after her estranged husband, Frederick Spears, 55, who is now charged with her murder, was given a ride to the home by an APD officer.
Frederick Spears had been arrested on September 17 and charged with aggravated assault after Ring camera footage allegedly captured him holding knives and threatening the family, according to the account Ashton Spears gave to CBS News Texas. He was released on bond the next day with an emergency protective order explicitly prohibiting him from returning to the home or contacting Mary Spears.
Despite this court order, Frederick Spears was reportedly given a ride by an Arlington police officer back to Mary Spears’ residence to retrieve his car. The APD has since acknowledged the error.
“The department acknowledges that the officers should not have arranged transportation back to the home,” Arlington police said in a news release.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Ashton Spears claims his father had been abusive for years, an environment that came to a head on September 17 when he confronted his mother about the alleged behavior. He recalled the moment his father burst into the room during the conversation: “he came running out of my mom’s room and he was just cursing, screaming, and yelling.” This incident led to the aggravated assault charge.
A few days later, on September 22, Mary Spears was found in the backyard and later died at the hospital. Police say Frederick Spears sent disturbing, self-implicating text messages to family members on the morning of the murder.
Legal Action and Internal Review
As the family mourns, they are focused on legal action against the department. “People need to know about that, and you know we are going to take legal action, we are going to sue them,” Ashton Spears told CBS.
Frederick Spears was located on September 23. During his arrest, he reportedly stabbed himself and was taken into custody after officers used non-lethal force. He is currently recovering in the hospital and has been charged with murder.
The Arlington Police Department has launched an internal review to determine if policy or procedure changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the loss, Ashton Spears expressed a sense of forgiveness toward his father. “I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone; I wouldn’t even wish it upon him,” he said. “I don’t want to do anything that would jeopardize me going to heaven — the only way I will get to see my mom again.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
