FORT WORTH, Texas - A Tarrant County jury took just 17 minutes to convict a 57-year-old man of capital murder for fatally stabbing his estranged wife outside her Arlington home after prosecutors said he violated a protective order, purchased what they described as a "murder kit" and waited for her in the backyard.
Frederick Spears, 57, was found guilty of capital murder in the September 22, 2025, killing of his estranged wife, 53-year-old Mary Spears.
The conviction carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
"The jury spoke for Tarrant County, returning their verdict in a mere 17 minutes," Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells said. "We stand with victims and we hold violent criminals accountable."
Protective Order Issued Days Before Killing
According to prosecutors, Frederick Spears had been arrested just days before Mary's murder after threatening a family member with kitchen knives.
An emergency protective order was issued directing Spears to stay away from his family.
Prosecutors said Spears subsequently purchased a knife and saw kit. Assistant District Attorney Chase Payne characterized the items during the trial as a "murder kit."
Early on the morning of Sept. 22, Spears returned to Mary's Arlington home and waited in the backyard near the side of the house, prosecutors said.
When Mary eventually stepped outside, Spears attacked her.
Despite weighing only 83 pounds, prosecutors said Mary attempted to defend herself as Spears repeatedly stabbed her and forced her to the ground.
"She tried to fight back," Payne told jurors. "She was unsuccessful."
One of the stab wounds penetrated her heart.
Mary's son later discovered her unresponsive in the backyard and bleeding from multiple stab wounds.
"She was slaughtered and left for dead," Assistant District Attorney Allenna Bangs told the jury.
Prosecutors also presented evidence that Spears had previously threatened to kill his estranged wife.
"He made good on the promise he had been making to Mary for years," Bangs said. "He always said, 'I'm going to kill you.'"
Spears Found Behind Arlington Church
Law enforcement officers later located Spears behind a church in Arlington.
According to prosecutors, Spears began stabbing himself when officers approached and also attempted to stab a police K-9.
Officers intervened and Spears was taken to a hospital for treatment before being placed under arrest.
"Find him guilty of capital murder and nothing else," Payne told jurors during the trial.
The jury returned the capital murder verdict after approximately 17 minutes of deliberations.
Payne and Bangs prosecuted the case for the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, with DA Investigator Darla Dowell also working on the prosecution.
The District Attorney's Office credited the Arlington Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service for their work on the investigation and apprehension of Spears.
