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Frazier v. State

The defendant admitted that he strangled his wife to death in an attempt to prevent her from using illegal drugs.

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Van Lee Frazier was convicted of felony murder in the strangling death of his wife, Lorraine Hendrix Frazier. He appeals from the denial of his motion for new trial.1 Finding no error, we affirm. 1. The jury was authorized to find that Frazier had a history of beating, choking and torturing the victim. On the day of the murder Frazier made statements to a relative, to an officer who arrived at the crime scene and to police during custodial interrogation in which he admitted that he had strangled the victim to death; he claimed he did so to prevent her from using illegal drugs. At trial Frazier testified that after observing the victim purchase crack cocaine, he followed her home and confronted her; he grabbed her by the throat during their argument; and he maintained his grip until he realized the victim was in physical distress. The police found no signs of struggle at the residence and medical testimony established that the victim died from strangulation.

The evidence was sufficient to enable a rational trier of fact to find Frazier guilty of felony murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia , 443 U.S. 307 99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560 1979.

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