30-year sentence in espresso stand shooting

EVERETT — The defendant turned back in the crowded courtroom to look at two families torn apart by tragedy.

“Believe me, it was an accident,” Bud Fraser insisted. “I’m sorry.”

The jury didn’t believe him.

The victim’s family didn’t either.

Nor did Superior Court Judge Gerald Knight, who sentenced the 23-year-old Marysville man to 30 years in prison for first-degree murder with a firearm Tuesday afternoon.

Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Laura Twitchell described the Sept. 14, 2009, shooting outside a drive-up espresso stand as “a cold-blooded ambush.” Collin Cross, 21, was hit in the face at close range by a shot fired from an assault rifle.

Prosecutors said that Cross was shot shortly after he dropped his girlfriend off at her job at the espresso stand. The woman previously had dated Fraser.

She told police that Fraser had been showing up at the stand in the week leading up to the shooting. Jurors were shown dozens of text messages Fraser sent the woman, including some in which he threatened to kill anyone she was dating. In at least one message he insisted that she choose: him or Cross.

At Tuesday’s emotional sentencing, four members of the victim’s family took turns telling Fraser how much agony he has caused.

They explained how two days before the murder, Cross was in his sister’s wedding, how he looked forward to becoming an uncle and how he was loved by his family.

His mother, Tammy Eneix, told Fraser he is a vile, pathetic coward.

“You took an innocent life that was not yours to take,” she said.

Frank Cross called his slain son “a good Christian boy” who “loved everybody.”

“You are nothing but evil,” the dad told the killer.

Bob Fraser stood up for his son, saying the defendant is honest and hard working.

“I feel for everybody involved,” he said. “My family feels for everybody involved.”

Knight told Fraser that his actions were not consistent with someone who accidentally shot someone.

The fact that he hid, called his dad to pick him up and fled across the mountains hurt his argument, Knight said. Rather, his actions were consistent with someone who was guilty as charged.

“I don’t believe it,” he said. “For what it’s worth, I agree with the jury.”

“You created a hole in the hearts of Mr. Cross’ parents and siblings,” Knight said. “You created a hole in the hearts of your parents, all for no reason.”

Knight sentenced Fraser to a prison term near the top of the standard sentencing range.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.