The mother of Demetrius Frazier, a Detroit native facing a controversial execution in Alabama, is urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to intervene and bring her son back to Michigan, where the death penalty is unconstitutional.
In an emotional letter sent to the governor on Tuesday, Carol Frazier acknowledged the severity of her son’s crimes but asked Whitmer to spare his life.
The 52-year-old is scheduled to be executed on Feb. 6 using nitrogen hypoxia, a controversial method that critics have called inhumane and painful.
“I love my son with all of my heart,” Frazier wrote in the letter. “I know that the crime he committed was terrible, and I know another mother lost her daughter. I am so sorry for her and their family and friends. I know this doesn’t bring her back.”
Frazier said her son is remorseful, has repented, and knows he’ll never be free.
“Please do not let Alabama put him to death,” Frazier pleaded. “I have been told that if you demand that Alabama return him, there is a very good chance they would have to. Alabama suffocates their prisoners now. A lot of people have spoke out to say this is wrong.”
Frazier was convicted in Wayne County in 1992 of murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and armed robbery. He was sentenced to three life terms. While behind bars in Michigan, Frazier confessed to a murder in Alabama.
In 1996, Alabama temporarily took custody of Frazier to prosecute him, resulting in a conviction for capital murder and a death sentence.
In what opponents say was a “secret” and illegal deal with Alabama, then-Gov. Rick Snyder reached an executive agreement with the state’s governor to transfer Frazier permanently to Alabama’s custody.
The move is significant because Michigan’s constitution prohibits the death penalty. Lawyers for Frazier argue Michigan law requires inmates to serve their sentences in-state and that the executive agreement violates the Interstate Agreement on Detainers and Frazier’s due process rights.
“Please bring my son back to Michigan,” his mother wrote. “Please don’t let Alabama kill my son if you can stop it.”
Opponents of the death penalty have been urging Whitmer to act for months. They argue she has the constitutional authority to demand Frazier’s return under the extradition clause, a move they say Alabama would be legally obligated to honor.
Frazier’s attorneys recently filed a lawsuit challenging Snyder’s decision, which they claim was unlawful and denied Frazier his due process rights.
In her letter, Frazier’s mother appealed directly to Whitmer as both a governor and a fellow Michigander.
“As a mother born and raised in Michigan asking and pleading to you as my governor, please do what you can to stop this from happening,” she wrote.
The governor’s office has not answered questions from Metro Times about this case since we first asked on Jan. 23.
