James Frazier — Death on Death Row
James Frazier, unfortunately, died on death row before his execution date on October 20th. Below is his story, and although it doesn’t excuse the crime he may/may not have committed, no one deserves to be on death row, nonetheless die because of it.
James was one of six children growing up. His siblings and him didn’t have much parental supervision growing up, and were poor. Frazier’s father was absent and uninvolved in his children’s lives, in addition, he was also a gambler and a drinker. Frazier felt ashamed as an elementary school student because the other students would bully him. He didn’t participate in sports or activities because he lacked the resources to. When he was 13 or 14, he was also abducted by a man, and this incident created trust issues for him. He dropped out of high school at age 19. He had trouble staying in relationship, and had an erratic employment history. He was granted the Social Security disability based on an administrative finding that he was mentally disabled. In addition, Frazier has a history of substance abuse and was diagnosed with depression.
Frazier and the victim, Stevenson, lived in the same apartment complex designated for those low income, elderly, or disabled. Stevenson was found dead in her apartment near her bed, with her throat slashed. Her purse and identification card were missing and there was no cash in the apartment. However, while the police were looking in a sealed trash bag, they discovered Stevenson’s purse, bills addressed to Frazier, and a T-Shirt that fits Frazier’s size. The knife used to kill Stevenson was also found. Investigators issued a search warrant and discovered corroborating evidence that would make him look guilty.
When videotaped by the police, Frazier claimed that he had seen a woman collapsed on the laundry room floor, and went to Stevenson’s house to call 911. When he left, Stevenson was fine. The lady was gone from the laundry room at the time the paramedics came around. He denied that he threw away anything that belonged to he victim, but did admit throwing away the T-Shirt. The grand jury indicted Frazier on one count of aggravated murder, and Frazier pleaded not guilty to all charges. After appealing that he should be excused from the death penalty because he was mentally incapable, Frazier was examined by doctors who determined that he was not mentally limited. He made multiple appeals and propositions that got overruled.
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