Convicted Murderer and Rapist Executed in Alabama by Nitrogen Gas
Demetrius Frazier, a convicted murderer and rapist, was executed by nitrogen gas on Thursday in Alabama. This comes 14 years after he was transferred to Alabama while serving a life sentence in Michigan for a separate murder. Frazier, 52, became the fourth inmate in the US to be put to death by this method as he served his sentence for the 1991 murder of Pauline Brown at the Holman Correctional Facility.
Frazier was convicted of capital murder for breaking into Pauline Brown’s Birmingham apartment, raping her at gunpoint, and then killing her when he was just 19 years old. In his last moments, he expressed remorse for his actions, apologizing to the family and friends of Pauline Brown, acknowledging that what happened to her should never have occurred.
As he awaited execution, Frazier also made a statement directed towards Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, questioning her ability to uphold the constitution. His final words were a tribute to Detroit and his fellow inmates on Death Row before the execution process began at 6:13 p.m.
The execution proceeded smoothly, with the gas flowing for around 18 minutes. Frazier showed no visible movement after about eight minutes, and he was officially pronounced dead at 6:36 p.m. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm stated that Frazier likely lost consciousness shortly after the gas was released.
Some of Pauline Brown’s family members were present at the execution, seeking closure for the loss of their loved one. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey emphasized the importance of justice being served for the victim and her family, stating, “Rapists and murderers are not welcome on our streets, and tonight, justice was carried out for Pauline Brown and her loved ones.”
Before his death, Frazier’s lawyers argued for his return to Michigan, but Governor Whitmer did not take action to bring him back to his home state. Michigan, being a non-death penalty state, faced challenges in dealing with the situation.
Frazier’s criminal history included the murder of Crystal Kendrick in Michigan in 1992, a year after he killed Pauline Brown. He was eventually convicted of Brown’s murder by an Alabama jury in 1996 and sentenced to death.
After choosing Taco Bell burritos and Mountain Dew as his last meal, Frazier became the fourth person in the US to be executed by nitrogen gas. Alabama was the first state to implement nitrogen gas executions, with Frazier being the latest in a series of executions using this method.
His execution marks the third in the US in 2025, following lethal injections in Texas and South Carolina. Frazier’s case highlights the complexities of the criminal justice system and the varying approaches to capital punishment across different states.
Overall, the execution of Demetrius Frazier serves as a reminder of the consequences of violent crimes and the measures taken to ensure justice is served for the victims and their families.
