Demetrius Frazier - Scheduled for execution
Alabama is scheduled to carry out its first execution of 2025 in February, following a record year for executions.
On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey's office announced that Demetrius Frazier will be executed within a 30-hour period beginning at midnight on Thursday, 6 February, and concluding at 6 a.m. on 7 February. Frazier is to be executed by suffocation using nitrogen gas.
Frazier, 52, was sent to Alabama Death Row in 1996 for the slaying of Pauline Brown in Jefferson County.
Demetrius Frazier was born in Detroit, Michigan, to a mother who was just 16 years old at the time. Growing up, he lacked male role models and was unaware of his father's identity. The environment at home was often overshadowed by the presence of drugs, and his mother's male acquaintances tended to exhibit violent and abusive behaviour. Financial stability was absent, as his family resided in condemned urban areas plagued by violence. Demetrius struggled academically, which may have been linked to head injuries sustained during his childhood and adolescence. Nonetheless, he eventually earned his General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
In March 1992, Demetrius Frazier was arrested in Detroit, Michigan, as a suspect in the attempted rape and murder of 14-year-old Crystal Kendrick, which took place on March 8, 1992. Crystal was shot while trying to flee from an abandoned house where Frazier was attempting to assault her. Following his arrest, Frazier was interrogated by a detective, during which he confessed to the murder of Pauline Brown in Alabama.
On the morning of November 26, 1991, Frazier noticed a light on in a ground-floor apartment at the Fountain Heights Apartment complex. He gained entry by removing a window screen, initially intending to commit robbery. However, after a brief search, he discovered only a few dollars. Hearing a television in one of the bedrooms, Frazier proceeded to that room where he found Pauline Brown asleep. He woke her, brandished a firearm, and demanded money. She complied, handing over $80 from her purse. Frazier then raped her at gunpoint whilst she pleaded for her life. When he ordered her to stop begging and she did not comply, he shot and killed her.
After leaving the apartment, Frazier crossed the street, anxious that someone might have heard the gunshot. After a short observation, he concluded that no one had noticed and returned to the apartment.
He confirmed that Pauline was dead and searched the apartment for additional money. Frazier ate two bananas, left the apartment, and threw the murder weapon into a ditch.
Frazier was charged in Michigan for the murder of Crystal. He was also charged with raping eight other women. Before going on trial, Frazier attempted to have his confession to both murders thrown out, arguing a homicide detective tricked him into confessing after he fell in love with her. His argument was rejected and his confessions were permitted. Frazier was convicted on April 8, 1993, and, as Michigan does not have the death penalty, Frazier was sentenced to two terms of life in prison. For other crimes, he was sentenced to 60-90 years in prison.
Following his sentencing in Michigan, Frazier underwent trial in Alabama. On 5 June 1996, he was found guilty of the murder of Pauline. Just two days later, he received a death sentence. Additionally, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for other charges.
A lawsuit has been lodged with the U.S. Middle District of Alabama seeking to prevent Frazier's execution. He contends that Alabama's implementation of nitrogen hypoxia for executions is unconstitutional.
