On May 26, 2020, 32-year-old Frankia Mathurin, also known as Frankia Palmer, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds at the Sage at 1825 apartments on Foothill Farms Loop in Pflugerville, Texas. The Pflugerville Police Department received a call around 4:40 p.m. and discovered Mathurin's body at the scene. She was pronounced dead shortly after.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of 30-year-old Kendric James Knatte, who was apprehended in Dallas by the U.S.
Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. Knatte was charged with first-degree murder and held in the Dallas County Jail on a $500,000 bond. According to the police, Knatte and Mathurin were acquaintances, and a verbal disturbance preceded the shooting.
Witnesses at the apartment complex reported hearing a heated argument between two individuals in a hallway, followed by multiple gunshots. One witness captured a photo of the suspect fleeing the scene towards a red Jeep Compass, which was later traced back to Knatte through leasing information. Inside the apartment, officers found a letter addressed to Knatte, further linking him to the crime.
The trial for Kendric James Knatte began in the Travis County Auxiliary Court, with Judge Brenda Kennedy presiding. Knatte claimed self-defense, stating that Mathurin had a gun and had been sending threatening text messages in the hours leading up to the incident. Despite his defense, the jury found Knatte guilty of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, but was deadlocked on the murder charge.
The case highlighted the complexities of the relationship between Knatte and Mathurin, who had previously been involved in an affair. On the day of the shooting, Mathurin had sent a series of threatening messages to Knatte, including one that read, "prison or death here we come." Knatte's defense argued that he had reason to protect himself and his wife, as Mathurin had shown up at his apartment with a gun.
The Pflugerville community played a significant role in the investigation by providing tips and videos that helped law enforcement track down Knatte. The case remains a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of domestic disputes and the importance of community involvement in solving crimes.
