Lawyers for Demetrius Terrence Frazier, a Michigan man currently on death row in Alabama, are making a last-ditch effort to halt his execution. They are urging Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to intervene, citing Michigan’s long-standing abolition of the death penalty as the moral basis for their plea.
Frazier, aged 52, is scheduled to face execution on February 6, 2025, for the 1991 rape and murder of Pauline Brown in Birmingham, Alabama.
At the time of his extradition to Alabama, Frazier was already serving a life sentence in Michigan for another crime.
According to Frazier’s legal team, his extradition to Alabama for the murder charge, which eventually led to his death sentence, violates the spirit of Michigan’s legal principles.
Michigan abolished the death penalty in 1846 and has upheld this position ever since.
Advocacy Efforts and Legal Arguments
A prominent anti-death penalty advocacy group, Death Penalty Action, has been spearheading efforts to save Frazier’s life.
The organization has launched an online petition to rally public support and further pressure Governor Whitmer.
Abraham Bonowitz, the Executive Director of Death Penalty Action, stated, “A previous governor arranged with Alabama’s leadership to transfer [Frazier] back down to Alabama. We believe this decision goes against Michigan’s policies and values.”
He added, “We’re asking Governor Whitmer to bring him back to Michigan, where he can serve out his life sentence without facing the death penalty.”
Legal Roadblocks
Despite the impassioned pleas, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office has determined that the extradition of Frazier to Alabama was legally sound.
A spokesperson for Attorney General Dana Nessel explained, “The question before our office was not whether we should intervene, but whether that transfer was appropriate and legal under Michigan law. We determined it was. Beyond that, we do not intervene in another state’s criminal matters.”
Former U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a successful intervention.
He explained, “Both Michigan and Alabama governments have reviewed this case, and neither sees a valid legal argument to intervene. It does not look promising for Frazier at this point.”
A Broader Debate
The case has reignited a national debate over the death penalty, particularly in cases where state policies on capital punishment are diametrically opposed.
Michigan has historically prided itself on being the first English-speaking government in the world to outlaw the death penalty, a decision rooted in moral and legal convictions.
Frazier’s case presents a clash between Michigan’s abolitionist stance and Alabama’s continued use of capital punishment.
The Clock is Ticking
As the execution date approaches, Frazier’s attorneys and advocacy groups are racing against time to secure clemency or a delay in his sentence.
While Governor Whitmer has publicly expressed her opposition to the death penalty, her ability to influence this case remains uncertain due to the legalities of interstate agreements and the sovereignty of Alabama’s justice system.
For now, Frazier remains on death row, and his case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and ethical dilemmas inherent in the American justice system.
Whether public pressure and moral arguments will sway officials remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the case has cast a spotlight on the ongoing debate over the death penalty in the United States.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and join the conversation about this high-profile case.
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