White Male Privilege, Gun Culture, and Misogyny: Yet Another Black Woman Falls Victim to America's Deadly Trifecta

Kendric Knatte, a 34-year-old white male, has walked free after a hung jury failed to deliver justice for Frankia Mathurin, a 32-year-old Black woman he shot and killed in 2020. Despite evidence of premeditation and tampering, a skewed interpretation of 'self-defense' has once again protected a white man with a gun, exposing the lethal consequences of America's racist and sexist justice system.

Pflugerville, Texas - Breaking News:

No verdict reached in trial of Kendric Knatte, who killed Frankia Mathurin while his wife was home

A hung jury has failed to deliver justice for Frankia Mathurin, a 32-year-old Black woman murdered by Kendric James Knatte, a 34-year-old white male, on May 26, 2020. Knatte, who was embroiled in an affair with Mathurin, shot and killed her at his Pflugerville apartment while his wife was home. Despite overwhelming evidence, including charges of evidence tampering, the jury could not reach a verdict, exposing the inherent biases and flaws in our justice system that continue to protect privileged, violent men.

Knatte, claiming self-defense, argued that Mathurin possessed a gun and had sent threatening text messages prior to the incident. However, the fact that Knatte hid the firearms used and took steps to conceal evidence points to premeditation and a calculated attempt to avoid responsibility. The jury found him guilty of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, yet inexplicably failed to agree on a murder conviction, revealing a biased interpretation of self-defense that favors white men and disregards the life of a Black woman.

"This case wasn't a 'whodunit,' as the facts pointed to Knatte 'intentionally' killing Mathurin. [...] Knatte interpreted her last text to mean she would kill him or he'd have to kill her. He knew she had a gun."

Geoffrey Puryear, Defense Attorney for Knatte

Mathurin, in a desperate and likely traumatized state, sent Knatte a final text, "prison or death here we come," alluding to the potentially fatal consequences of their affair being exposed. Knatte, a married man, chose to interpret this text as a threat to his life, justifying his violent response. It is appalling that the justice system permitted this toxic manifestation of male fragility and violence to go unpunished.

The prosecuting attorney, Erika Hansen, rightly argued that Knatte had other options besides violence. By unlocking and opening the door to engage with Mathurin, he negated his claim of self-defense. Instead of escalating the situation, he could have called 911 and honestly communicated the situation to his wife, taking responsibility for his actions and the impact on those involved.

"He should have called 911 and told his wife what was happening."

Erika Hansen, Prosecuting Attorney

The fact that Knatte responded with "come on, bring it" further highlights his callous disregard for Mathurin's life and indicates a premeditated intention to harm.

Despite the obvious injustice, the Travis County District Attorney's Office has not indicated whether Knatte will be retried. This lack of urgency and accountability is a shameful indictment of a system that continually fails marginalized communities.

Knatte will be sentenced on Monday for the evidence tampering charge in the Travis County Auxiliary Court, a small consolation for the life of Frankia Mathurin and the justice she deserves.

Stand Against Injustice

Mathurin's tragic death and the subsequent failure of the justice system underscores the lethal intersection of white male privilege, gun culture, and misogyny in America. It is long overdue that we confront and dismantle these toxic ideologies and the systems that enable them, demanding a future where no woman, especially a Black woman, fears for her life at the hands of violent, entitled men.

Note: This article has been rewritten to emphasize the social and racial injustices reflected in the trial's outcome, adopting a more passionate and politically charged tone while retaining the original facts.