Controversy Grows: Nitrogen Gas and Alabama’s Latest Execution Debate

Alabama executes Demetrius Terrence Frazier using nitrogen gas, marking the fourth such execution in the United States.

Key Takeaways

Demetrius Terrence Frazier was executed in Alabama for the 1991 murder and rape of Pauline Brown.
This marks the fourth execution using nitrogen gas in the United States, with Alabama being the first state to adopt this method.
The execution has reignited debate over the ethics and constitutionality of nitrogen gas as a method of capital punishment.
Alabama officials, including Governor Kay Ivey, maintain that the execution brings justice and closure to the victim’s family.
Frazier’s troubled background and last-minute legal challenges highlight the complexities surrounding capital punishment cases.

Alabama’s Continued Use of Nitrogen Gas Execution

Alabama has once again utilized nitrogen gas for execution, this time in the case of Demetrius Terrence Frazier. Convicted for the 1991 murder and rape of Pauline Brown in Birmingham, Frazier became the fourth death row inmate in America to face this controversial method of capital punishment. The execution, carried out by replacing oxygen with nitrogen gas, leading to death by asphyxiation, has reignited discussions about the ethics and legality of this approach.

Alabama inmate Demetrius Frazier was executed at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore for the 1991 slaying of a Birmingham woman. pic.twitter.com/LAqGnUjPx9

— AL.com (@aldotcom) February 7, 2025

Alabama’s decision to employ nitrogen gas for executions, which began last year, has positioned the state at the forefront of this contentious practice. Governor Kay Ivey has consistently emphasized the state’s commitment to enforcing the law, even in the face of mounting criticism and legal challenges.

The Case of Demetrius Terrence Frazier

Frazier’s case is marked by a series of tragic events. In 1992, during a police interrogation, he admitted to the murder of Pauline Brown. His troubled childhood, characterized by neglect, abuse, and poverty, culminated in him dropping out of high school before obtaining a GED. Prior to his transfer to Alabama, Frazier was serving a life sentence in Michigan for the murder of 14-year-old Crystal Kendrick, further complicating his legal situation.

In his final moments, Frazier expressed remorse for his actions, offering an apology to Brown’s family and friends stating “I want to apologize to the family and friends of Pauline Brown. What happened to her should have never happened.” His last meal consisted of burritos, a chicken chalupa, chips and dip, and Mountain Dew..

Controversy Surrounding Nitrogen Gas Executions

The use of nitrogen gas for executions remains highly controversial. Opponents argue that it constitutes torture, while proponents, including Alabama officials, maintain that it is both constitutional and effective. Witnesses to Frazier’s execution reported observing physical reactions, including twitching and struggling to breathe, which has further fueled the debate over the method’s humaneness.

Frazier and his attorneys argued that the use of nitrogen gas violated the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. However, these legal challenges were ultimately unsuccessful, with the Alabama Attorney General’s office rejecting the claims.

State Officials’ Stance on the Execution

Alabama’s state officials have stood firmly behind their decision to carry out the execution. Governor Kay Ivey emphasized the state’s commitment to enforcing the law, while Attorney General Steve Marshall framed the execution as a long-awaited act of justice for Pauline Brown’s family.

The execution of Demetrius Terrence Frazier marks another chapter in the ongoing debate over capital punishment in the United States. As states like Alabama continue to explore and implement new methods of execution, the ethical, legal, and moral questions surrounding these practices are likely to persist, challenging our society’s approach to justice and punishment.