Man To Stand Trial In Unborn Baby Murder-For-Hire Case
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A man accused in a murder-for-hire plot in which investigators say he tried to have his unborn child killed was held for trial Tuesday.
The suspect, 22-year-old John Frazier, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing.
According to police paperwork, Frazier is facing list of charges including two counts of criminal solicitation – homicide of an unborn child, as well as counts of terroristic threats, criminal solicitation – simple assault, and harassment.
Police say he is accused of trying to hire someone to have the unborn baby killed.
When Frazier learned his girlfriend was pregnant, investigators say he became angry and allegedly wanted to force her to have an abortion or give the baby up for adoption.
According to the assistant district attorney, when that didn't work, Frazier approached a babysitter in his apartment building on Woodward Street in Stowe Township.
In court Tuesday, the babysitter testified that Frazier offered her $100 to punch his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach to force her to have a miscarriage.
Frazier's attorney says the babysitter knows his client well.
"She testified that was completely out of character, so much so that she didn't even bother to call police," said Albert Gray, the defense attorney. "We all say things we regret, which we can't take back."
But the assistant district attorney says the offer Frazier made to his neighbor is a felony charge of criminal solicitation to murder an unborn child.
Frazier's ex-girlfriend also testified that Frazier allegedly sent her threatening text messages and told her that he wished she was dead.
Gray admits his client's remarks were inappropriate and should not have been made, but he says Frazier has no criminal record and there was never any criminal intent.
"He's faced with a situation where a woman tells him she's pregnant. He's frantic, he's flipping out, he doesn't know what to do, [they then] started arguing and he said something," Gray said.
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