Alabama set to execute man with nitrogen gas for 1991 murder, rape

Demetrius Frazier, convicted of murder, faces execution in Alabama, using nitrogen gas, despite pleas from his mother and advocates.

A man convicted of murdering a woman after breaking into her apartment is set to be executed on Thursday (February 6, 2025) in Alabama in what would be the nation's fourth execution with nitrogen gas.

Demetrius Terrence Frazier, 52, was convicted of the 1991 murder of 41-year-old Pauline Brown. Prosecutors said Frazier raped and shot her after breaking into her Birmingham apartment.

If carried out, Frazier's execution will be the third in the United States in 2025 and the first in Alabama this year.

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Alabama became the first State to carry out executions with nitrogen gas when three inmates were put to death using the method last year. The method involves placing a respirator gas mask over the person's face to replace breathable air with pure nitrogen gas, causing death by lack of oxygen.

Frazier had no pending court appeals in the hours leading up to his execution. His advocates instead made a plea to the governor in another state to intercede. Frazier's mother and death penalty opponents asked Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to bring Frazier back to Michigan, where he was serving a life sentence for the murder of a 14-year-old girl before he was turned over to Alabama's death row. Michigan does not have the death penalty.

“I know my son has changed. Demetrius has repented,” his mother, Carol Frazier, wrote in a letter. “Please don't let Alabama kill my son," she added.