A man has been found guilty of murder and torture in the killing of his girlfriend in Oakland, California. After a two-week trial, a jury in Alameda County convicted 30-year-old Victor “Frito” Frieson III of the brutal death of ceramic artist and poet Zoe Reidy Watts.

According to prosecutors, the fatal incident occurred shortly after the couple returned to Frieson’s apartment following a date at Johnny Foley’s Irish House in San Francisco on March 1, 2024. The attack took place around midnight or shortly before midnight the following night. Court records indicate that Watts suffered extensive injuries, including bruises, multiple cuts, and a severe neck wound.

Evidence presented during the trial included surveillance footage capturing Watts’s last moments. The video shows her staggering out of the apartment naked and gravely injured, collapsing just outside the doorway as she attempted to flee the assault.

The prosecution described the attack as a violent and deliberate act, emphasizing the severity of the injuries sustained by Watts before her death. The jury’s verdict reflects the seriousness of the charges against Frieson, who faces the possibility of spending the remainder of his life in prison.

No additional details have been released regarding Frieson’s motive or any statements made by the defense during the trial. The case drew considerable attention due to the nature of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled.