Franklin County man convicted of killing woman and her toddler

KENNEWICK – A jury has found a 26-year-old man guilty of killing his 18-year-old girlfriend and her toddler in southeastern Washington.

The Tri-City Herald reported Prudencio Juan Fragos-Ramirez, of Connell, Washington, was convicted Friday of two counts of first-degree aggravated murder. The jury began deliberations Tuesday afternoon.

Fragos-Ramirez was accused of shooting Maria Cruz-Calvillo in July 2015 because he was possessive and obsessed with her.

Authorities say Cruz-Calvillo and her 3-year-old son, Luis Lopez-Cruz, were shot inside a car, which was then set on fire. The mother and son lived in Othello.

The burning vehicle was found in a ravine in northern Franklin County.

Attorney Scott Johnson argued that the mother and son likely were killed by drug dealers.

Fragos-Ramirez did not testify at his trial.

He faces life in prison without the possibility of early release or parole.