Ep:113 | The Murder of Frances Fitts | Dog Finds Evidence of Murder and Changes Texas Law | Murder Unscripted episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 21, 2026 · 59 MIN

Ep:113 | The Murder of Frances Fitts | Dog Finds Evidence of Murder and Changes Texas Law | Murder Unscripted

from Murder Unscripted

Frances Fritts was murdered in a house fire in Brenham, Texas in 1994. Her husband Charles walked out without a scratch. He had $800,000 in insurance lined up, a girlfriend abroad, and a Mercedes ad running in the local paper. Investigators had plenty of motive. What they needed was proof the fire was set deliberately. That proof came from two dogs named Samantha and Jager - hydrocarbon-sniffing K-9s who alerted to accelerant in the ruins of the Fritts home and helped put Charles away for life. And when the defense challenged their evidence in court, the Texas Court of Appeals made history. Fitts versus State, decided in 1998, became the case that put arson dogs in Texas courtrooms permanently. Melissa covers Frances's case and the remarkable legal legacy it left behind - including a note from the heart about a victim she couldn't find enough about, and the reason she still needed to say her name. LISTEN ON AUDIO: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-unscripted/id1750146409 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2AUGh12ei1wk8x7CvcX9qH SUPPORT THE SHOW: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MurderUnscriptedPod/membership 20% of every membership goes to Courthouse Dogs Foundation 🐾 CONNECT WITH US: Email: [email protected] Socials: @murderunscripted If you knew Frances Fritts, please reach out to [email protected]. We would love to tell her story properly. If this one moved you, please consider leaving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. #MurderUnscripted #FrancesFritts #TrueCrime

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Ep:113 | The Murder of Frances Fitts | Dog Finds Evidence of Murder and Changes Texas Law | Murder Unscripted

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