Matthew Alan Fritz was born August 14, 1975. He was murdered August 22, 1996. He died in the same hospital in which he was born. His girl friend was with him as he died.
Matthew graduated from Lakewood High School. He was interested in going to school to be an architectural engineer. He liked baseball cards and bicycle racing. He enjoyed pool tournaments. Matthew had an African Gray Parrot that would mimic his mother, Teri, when she left a phone message for her son. The pet is with Matthew’s girl friend now.
Matthew reportedly was in the company of two other young men in the early hours of August 22nd 1996. They were found in the parking lot of the Town apartments at 4390 E. Mississippi, Glendale. Matthew died later of gunshot wounds. The resident who shot him did not call police first. The shooter was armed with two guns. He said he only intended to scare the tire slashers. So the shooter was never prosecuted.
In Colorado, tire slashing is charged as criminal mischief – a misdemeanor – unless the value of the tires slashed exceeds $1,000. Then it is a low class felony.
So Matthew was dealt the death penalty, probably for a misdemeanor, without a trial or the assistance of counsel, on the word of his killer and the testimony of his companions. The 18th Judicial District Attorney declined to prosecute the killer.
Matthew’s mother, Teri Shepard, has been a FOHVAMP member for several years. She applied for victim compensation for Matthew’s funeral and burial expenses as well as some counseling. Her application was denied by the 18th JD Victim Compensation Board because Glendale PD decided Matthew was involved in criminal activity.
Seeking justice for Matthew, Teri called Glendale Police periodically to ask if they would investigate further. A detective finally told her to stop calling. Teri describes his language and attitude as rude.
Upon hearing this we advised Teri to put in a complaint to a committee in Colorado’s Division of Criminal Justice charged with upholding the Victim Rights Act which says a victim (in this case co-victim) should be treated with fairness, dignity and respect. We sent her the form. She submitted her complaint. The committee finally got back to her. They said they had investigated and that Glendale PD had acted appropriately.
So the mother pays for the misdemeanor of her murdered son: denied victim compensation, denied respect, denied justice! And another killer walks free.