Second Black Thief Accused of Murdering White Man Two Years Ago

Citizen Times
March 8, 2015

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Thomas Reese partially burned body was found at a place on Carrion Lane.

A second man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a death more than two years ago.

In addition to the murder charge, Victor Alexander Fraley, 31, of Polkton in Anson County, was charged Thursday with robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to warrants at the Buncombe County magistrate’s office.

Fraley is accused of robbing and killing Thomas Curtis Reese in 2012. Reese, 29, was a Florida resident who was visiting friends in Asheville when he was killed, according to court documents.

Another man, James Augustus Williams, 32, of Stewart Street, Asheville, was charged Feb. 24 with robbery and murder in the case.

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Victor Alexander Fraley is the second Negro to be arrested for the murder.

Fraley and Williams are accused of using a knife to rob Reese of his cellphone and cash valued at $200, according to warrants.

Residents cleaning up their property on Carrion Lane in Candler found Reese’s partially burned body Nov. 23, 2012, and called authorities. The body had been there some time, but investigators didn’t provide an estimated date when Reese died.

The sheriff’s office has not released details about how Fraley and Williams were developed as suspects or any other details about the case, including the victim’s cause of death.

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James Williams has also been charged with the murder.