Demetrius Terrence Frazier was put to death by nitrogen gas on Thursday night in the state of Alabama for the 1991 rape and killing of Pauline Brown in Birmingham.
According to Gov. Kay Ivey’s administration, Frazier, 52, was declared dead at 6:36 p.m. He is the fourth person the state has executed using nitrogen gas.
In his parting remarks, Frazier stated, “First and foremost, I want to apologize to the friends and family of Pauline Brown; what happened to her should never have happened.” I would like to express my regret to the Black community.
Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, was also chastised by Frazier for failing to step in and help him. While serving a life term in Michigan for the 1992 murder of 14-year-old Crystal Kendrick, Frazier was moved to Alabama in 2011. For the crimes he committed in Michigan, his legal team had requested Whitmer to take possession of his case and have him returned to the state. Whitmer remained silent.
Around 6:10 p.m., a Corrections staff member altered Frazier’s mask, and a few minutes later, the nitrogen gas started to flow. According to media witnesses, Frazier had breathing difficulties for a number of minutes throughout the execution.
Media observers reported that during one part of the execution, Frazier raised his legs and his body twitched. That is comparable to what other witnesses saw during the three earlier nitrogen gas executions that the state carried out.
According to witnesses, Frazier’s last breath was taken at approximately 6:20 p.m.
At a press conference after the execution, ADOC Commissioner John Hamm stated, “It went as planned, as our protocol says.”
In January 2024, the state put Kenneth Eugene Smith to death by nitrogen gas.In September, Alan Eugene Miller was executed using this technique.In November, Carey Dale Grayson followed.
Ivey stated in a statement Thursday night that “we enforce the law in Alabama.” You cannot enter our state, mistreat our people, and get away with it.
According to the governor, justice was served for Brown and her family.
Ivey stated, “I pray for her family that they can continue to heal and have confidence that Demetrius Frazier cannot hurt anyone else after all these years.”
Frazier received a life sentence after being found guilty of Kendrick’s 1993 death. By a vote of 10 to 2, an Alabama jury found Frazier guilty of capital murder in 1996 and suggested that he be executed. Citing the distress that media witnesses reported among the men who had previously been subjected to the nitrogen gas protocol, Frazier’s legal team contended that the protocol violated Frazier’s Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment while arguing that he should be returned to Michigan.
Both arguments were dismissed by the federal courts. Attorney General Dana Nessel of Michigan stated that they would not request that Frazier be sent back to their jurisdiction.
Whitmer was petitioned to step in by Frazier’s family and allies. Carol, Frazier’s mother, wrote a letter asking Whitmer to step in, and almost 4,000 people signed a petition.
Frazier’s legal team released a statement following his execution on Thursday, saying, “We are disappointed that Michigan chose to ignore requests to intercede, to ignore its own history, and to have Mr. Frazier returned to Michigan to complete his life sentences.” We regret that Governor Ivey has not granted clemency, particularly in light of these particularly sad and unfair circumstances. Justice everywhere is threatened by injustice anywhere, according to Martin Luther King, Jr. We mourn everyone tonight.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.