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.