Man convicted of capital murder for Alabama-Georgia crime spree

<p>A Center Point man has been convicted of capital murder for killing his friend last year at the start of a two-state crime spree.</p><p>A jury Friday recommended life in prison without parole for 22-year-old Marchello Frazier. Sentencing will be Sept. 20 before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Laura Petro, who could accept the jury's recommended penalty or impose the death sentence.</p><p>Frazier was found guilty of shooting Michael Williams to death in Birmingham. Trials also are pending for him in three robberies, including a Georgia carjacking, and the slaying of a 67-year-old cemetery worker following Williams' death on Feb. 26, 2003.</p><p>Defense attorney Cynthia Umstead said she was relieved the jury didn't recommend a death sentence.</p><p>"This is what we wanted from the beginning," she said.</p><p>During jury deliberations, Frazier bobbed his head and appeared to pray. He stood straight-faced and motionless when the verdict was read, while his mother, Pamela French, sobbed.</p><p>French collapsed outside the courthouse during the lunch break and was taken away by ambulance. She returned later to hear the sentence recommendation.</p><p>Frazier is accused in a crime spree that left another person dead and two others robbed. Trials in the death of cemetery worker Mary Morgan and other crimes are pending.</p><p>Prosecutors say Frazier killed Williams, of Talladega, his friend and housemate, then raided the home and took two televisions, a computer, a .38-caliber revolver and Williams' navy Cadillac. Shortly after, he pawned one TV for $75.</p><p>Frazier drove to a Pleasant Grove cemetery near Birmingham a day after killing Williams and shot Morgan, who died the next day, according to prosecutors. On Feb. 28, Frazier drove Morgan's car to a car wash in Dallas, Ga., and forced Lena Ledford into the trunk before stealing her car and driving back to Alabama. Ledford later was rescued unharmed.</p><p>Frazier then assaulted Matthew Cornelson, locked him in a storage garage, and stole his Ford Explorer. Frazier was arrested early the next morning at a Birmingham motel.</p><p>In testimony Friday, Frazier admitted he was at all four crime scenes but wasn't responsible for any deaths. He apologized for anything bad that happened, but said his ex-girlfriend, who testified Tuesday, actually shot Williams while she and Frazier fought.</p><p>"My hand wasn't on the trigger, it was on the barrel," Frazier testified. "Only God knows for real what happened that day. Only God and me."</p>