Court cases are proceeding against several defendants charged in connection to the murder of a Mountain City, Georgia, woman.
Administrative hearings were held this week in Macon County Superior Court in Franklin, North Carolina, for Chris Shields, Andrew McCrackin, and Jessica Smith. All three are charged in relation to the May 2022 shooting death of Tina Walkingstick Friszell.
Shields attorneys want their client closer to home
Accused gunman Chris Shields is charged with capital murder. He’s currently being held at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina, awaiting trial. On January 11, Shields appeared in court with his attorneys to request a transfer.
Defense attorneys Tony Dalton and Doug Edwards argued before Superior Court Judge Gary Gavenus that Shields should be housed closer to home. They said the distance in having him four hours away in Raleigh has created difficulties in representing their client properly.
Assistant District Attorney Jim Moore argued Shields is a safety risk for the local detention centers in the area. He says Shields was held in Macon County, Clay County, and Transylvania County detention centers, where he popped cell locks and threatened staff and inmates, and also allegedly made death threats against potential witnesses. According to Moore, those counties have refused to house Shields because they don’t have the personnel or proper facilities due to his actions and threatening demeanor.
Safe keeping order
Macon County Superior Court Judge William Cowart signed a “Safe Keeping” order in the case last August, resulting in Shields being transferred to Central Prison. Dalton previously argued he was unaware of the order and requested that Shields be returned to the area. He also argued that he has spoken with authorities in Transylvania County and that they have not indicated to him that Shields is a threat.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Gavenus reissued the “Safe Keeping” order, and Shields was returned to Central Prison following Thursday’s administrative hearing. He’s due to return to court on March 20, and his attorneys are again expected to ask for a transfer.
Shields is unlikely to go on trial before 2025. When he does, he could face the death penalty. In addition to capital murder, authorities charged him with destroying human remains, felony conspiracy to commit murder, concealing a death, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to prosecutors, Shields shot Frizsell to death at his residence on South Tryphosa Road in Otto, North Carolina.
The mother of two was killed the day before her 43rd birthday.
McCrackin a no show
Co-defendant Andrew “Dereck” McCrackin was scheduled for an administrative hearing this week but did not show. His attorney, Ward Collins, said he was unaware as to why his client was not present.
McCrackin has been housed at the Clay County, North Carolina, Detention Center since threats were made against his life while being held in Macon County. Even though he is a co-defendant in the Frizsell murder, he is also a potential witness for the prosecution.
McCrackin and co-defendant Jessica Smith are both charged with concealing a death, destroying a body, felony conspiracy to commit murder, and as accessories after the fact. They’re accused of helping to move and burn her body to conceal her death.
Walkingstick’s remains were positively identified in August last year using DNA provided by her family.
Same charges, different treatment, attorney says
McCrackin has been in jail since his arrest in May 2022. His attorney was prepared to argue for another bond reduction for his client. Originally set at $750,000, McCrackin’s bond has already been reduced once to $350,000. However, it’s still higher than Smith’s, who faces the same charges.
Smith bonded out of jail in September 2022 after her bond was reduced. Collins says it’s unclear as to why his client has not received the same treatment.
McCrackin is due in court for another bond reduction hearing in March.
The fourth co-defendant in the case, Lenoka Wilson is the one nearest to going to trial. She’s charged with two counts of felony kidnapping. A pre-trial hearing in her case is set for February 12.
