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Minford woman found guilty of aggravated murder following weeklong trial; receives life sentence

By
Scioto County Prosecutor's Office, Press Release

A Shumway Hollow (Minford) resident received a life sentence without parole eligibility for the next 34 years following her convictions for aggravated murder and 11 other counts following a weeklong jury trial which concluded Aug. 16.

Brooklyn Frazie, 42, faced 12 total counts, 10 of them for felony charges, stemming from an indictment returned by the grand jury in October 2023. Frazie faced counts of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, inducing panic, attempting to leave the scene of an accident or collision, operating a vehicle while under the influence, operation of a vehicle in willful and wanton disregard of persons and aggravated vehicular homicide stemming from her actions which led to the death of her boyfriend, a 44-year-old also of Shumway Hollow, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Frazie’s trial took place in the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas General Division and was presided over by the Honorable Judge Mark Kuhn. The State of Ohio’s case was presented by chief assistant prosecutor Julie Cooke Hutchinson, along with assistant prosecuting attorney Matthew Loesch, while Frazie was represented by local attorney Christine Scott.

Just after 6:25 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2023, the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a neighbor describing a domestic argument which had progressed into what appeared to be a motor vehicle pursuit involving a black SUV and a motorcycle on Swauger Valley and Shumway Hollow Road in the Sciotoville/Minford area of Scioto County. The caller identified the parties involved as defendant Frazie and the victim.

A second 911 call was received a short time after, describing an SUV pursuing a motorcycle on Old Gallia in Sciotoville. Frazie and the victim then traveled westbound on U.S. 52 toward New Boston, where they were encountered by numerous other witnesses and captured on surveillance footage traveling at high rates of speed.

Eyewitnesses at trial testified in detail about the events shortly before, during and immediately after the collision. These witnesses observed Frazie pursuing the victim’s motorcycle at high rates of speed, violating numerous traffic safety laws and without regard for the safety of other motorists.

Numerous witnesses initially believed that they were seeing a police pursuit based on the speed and actions of the vehicles. After Frazie and the victim made a left onto U.S. 52 West off of Lakeview Avenue in New Boston, eyewitnesses observed Frazie drive into the rear of the victim’s motorcycle, causing the motorcycle to crash and for him to fall to the pavement.

Frazie then continued to drive forward, dragging the victim an additional 58 feet under her vehicle. The evidence further demonstrated that Frazie backed up over the victim prior to being stopped by eyewitnesses who intervened.

A significant number of witnesses and good Samaritans immediately began to assist the victim as he was pinned underneath Frazie’s vehicle. Several individuals provided medical care and comfort to the victim, while others quickly retrieved car jacks to lift the vehicle off his body.

Law enforcement and emergency medical and fire personnel arrived quickly on scene. Body camera footage played at the trial captured Ms. Frazie attempting to claim that the victim had wrecked in front of her. Numerous eyewitnesses immediately contradicted this claim, leading to a confrontation between them and Frazie.

Despite the skillful and quick assistance that the victim received, his vital signs plummeted and cardiac activity ultimately ceased. He was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival at Southern Ohio Medical Center. An autopsy determined he had suffered 14 rib fractures and severe liver lacerations causing significant internal bleeding. His death was determined to be due to blunt force trauma.

The investigation was led by the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of lead detective Sgt. Jodi Conkel with assistance from the New Boston Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Expert reconstruction from the Highway Patrol confirmed witness accounts that Frazie had struck the victim while he was upright on his motorcycle and refuted Frazie’s claim that he had crashed in front of her.

The investigation revealed that Frazie had pursued the victim for approximately 14 miles prior to driving into his motorcycle. Blood analysis confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in Frazie’s system. Frazie was also found to be in possession of suboxone at the time of the fatal collision.

The State of Ohio presented 30 witnesses and introduced over 150 exhibits prior to resting its case after the fourth day of trial.

The defense presented two witnesses, including Ms. Frazie. During her testimony, Frazie denied any intent to cause the victim’s death, instead claiming that they were traveling to dinner and that she was speeding only to try and catch up with the victim and get his attention to let him know that his kickstand was down and dragging the ground. Frazie testified that a significant number of the state’s witnesses were mistaken or lying about the situation during her testimony, which lasted over three hours. Frazie also denied being under the influence at the time of the collision.

The jury unanimously rejected Ms. Frazie’s claims, finding her guilty of each and every count after less than three hours of deliberations.

Prior to sentencing, Judge Kuhn heard victim impact statements from the victim’s daughter and mother, who explained how his death had devastated his friends and family and forever transformed their lives. They described the victim as a generous, loving and peaceful individual and previously testified regarding Ms. Frazie’s controlling and obsessive nature during their relationship.

Judge Kuhn then imposed a life sentence in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections on Frazie, with no possibility of parole for at least 34 years.
 
County Prosecutor Shane Tieman stated, “My office again sends its deepest condolences to [the victim’s] family and thanks them for their support and bravery during the litigation and trial of this case. We hope that Ms. Frazie’s conviction and sentence will help them as they continue to grieve his loss.”

Mr. Tieman and the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office extend its deepest thanks to the citizens of the county who served as jurors in the trial. The Prosecutor’s Office also extends its appreciation to the eyewitnesses at the scene who immediately sprang into action to assist the victim and prevent Frazie from potentially leaving the scene. Mr. Tieman also thanks the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, the New Boston Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their assistance and collaboration in this matter.

Mr. Tieman concluded by stating that, “While there are never any positives that come from a horrible situation like this, the lone bright spot of this incident was seeing the incredible response of the people of this community who immediately sprang into action to try and save [the victim’s] life. These people further demonstrated their character when they came forward to give their accounts as to what truly happened on that fateful day. Justice could not have been obtained without their assistance, and they all have my deepest gratitude.”

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