The grandson of a Tucson woman murdered by a violent repeat offender released early from prison says Arizona Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies are to blame.
Frankie Zills testified at the Tucson City Council’s regular meeting earlier this week, just two days after what would have been the 62nd birthday of his grandmother, Susan Gehrke.
Zills says Tucson City Council and Democratic elected leaders are responsible for the rehabilitation-first justice system that has resulted in the lesser sentencing and early release of violent and dangerous criminals like Dahseir “Dice” Edward Jefferson, the man charged with murdering Gehrke. Jefferson allegedly assaulted Gehrke at her apartment complex last month while Gehrke was attempting to assist a friend that Jefferson had allegedly assaulted just moments prior.
“I blame you [Mayor Regina Romero] and [Governor Katie] Hobbs. A man that you guys failed to keep locked up because of your rehabilitation beliefs,” said Zills. “The fact that you guys are in those seats is a danger to the public, and this is proof.”
Jefferson was sentenced to five years in prison following a 2019 conviction for third-degree burglary and 2021 conviction for the aggravated assault of a 13-year-old child. In the latter case, Jefferson was not charged with kidnapping and benefitted from a plea deal that removed a charge for temporary disfigurement.
“[Jefferson] should have been charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and attempted murder. Instead, you guys gave him a plea deal and took off the temporary disfigurement charge and didn’t even charge him with kidnapping,” said Zills. “Give him a break, right? He’s a young black man, he just made a mistake. I’m being sarcastic, just so you guys know. I’m pretty sure there’s not a lot of common sense in those seats right now.”
Jefferson was released around two years early in October 2024, despite having committed further crimes in prison to include disorderly conduct, weapons possession, tampering with a security or safety device, disobeying an order, possession of a communication device, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession or manufacture of an intoxicating substance.
“And you guys still let him out early and didn’t charge him more time after what he did in there because of your rehabilitation beliefs, specifically for people of color because you’re afraid of looking racist instead of realizing good from evil,” said Zills. “Everything is about race with you guys, and it’s childish. And now my grandma’s dead. He murdered my grandma a little more than a year after your systems let him out. It’s your fault and Hobbs.”
Zills revealed that it took police an hour and a half to respond to his grandmother. All the while, a neighbor reportedly had to prevent Jefferson, who returned three times to the scene of the crime, from attacking Zills’ grandmother further as she lay semiconscious on the ground dying from a fatal brain bleed.
“How many law-abiding citizens have to die?” said Zills. “How many family members have to lose loved ones before you realize your rehabilitation ideas are jack shit? I don’t think you guys are here for the people of Tucson, I think you guys are more worried about helping out the criminals and the people that come here undocumented and commit crimes because you guys are afraid of looking racist, and it’s pathetic.”
Zills said he would be more diligent going forward about exercising his Second Amendment right by carrying a firearm, in addition to wearing body armor, in public around Tucson to protect himself and others from the threats imposed by criminals loose on the streets.
Gehrke’s family is fundraising to cover Gehrke’s funeral and memorial expenses.
Zills was not the only Tucsonan to criticize the city’s approach to public safety.
Another citizen, Kevin Nelson, attested that the past four years since he purchased and began restoring his historic home near Anza Park have been a neverending crisis. Nelson described daily routines of clearing trash, human feces, and drug paraphernalia from on and around his property, along with witnessing open drug dealing in the alley behind his house.
Nelson said he observed dozens of vagrants taking over the nearby open dog park and children’s playground, rendering use of those public resources impossible. Nelson said he and other neighbors have resorted to hiring off-duty police officers to patrol these areas.
“The security situation has completely deteriorated. Personally, I’ve called 911 at least 10 times to report attempted break-ins on my property, assaults, fights, open drug use, and active shootings,” said Nelson. “This past Saturday morning I called to report a serious assault and received no emergency response at all. Just recently, three people died in this immediate area, including one this morning, and my neighbor sitting right there, was forced to save an overdosing drug user’s life by using Narcan.”
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