Norristown man admits role in fatal stabbing
Nafees Frazier, 19, showed no emotion as he pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree murder charge.
“The defendant and Johnson together killed the victim with malice over a minor feud from three days prior.”
- Montgomery County Prosecutor Allison Ruth
NORRISTOWN >> On the day he faced a trial for his role in a fatal stabbing, a Norristown man followed in the footsteps of his co-conspirator by admitting his guilt and placing his fate in the hands of a judge.
Nafees Frazier, 19, of the 500 block of Green Street, showed no emotion as he pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court on Monday to charges of third-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the 3:55 p.m. Sept. 23, 2018, fatal stabbing of 41-year-old Derrick Lynch during an altercation in the 500 block of DeKalb Street.
“The defendant took out a knife and handed it to (Zariyus) Johnson. The defendant and Johnson worked together to prevent the victim from escaping and attacked him, stabbed him and punched him numerous times,” county Assistant District Attorney Allison Ruth said in court as she recited the factual basis for Frazier’s guilty plea.
“The defendant and Johnson together killed the victim with malice over a minor feud from three days prior,” added Ruth, who was assisted by co-prosecutor Roderick Fancher.
Judge Wendy DemchickAlloy deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a presentence investigation report about Frazier, who will undergo drug, alcohol and mental health evaluations.
Frazier, who is represented by defense lawyer Richard Maurer, faces a sentence of at least 15 years in prison and up to a possible maximum sentence of 80 years behind bars.
Last month, Johnson, 20, of the 600 block of Walnut Street, Norristown, pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree murder, possessing an instrument of crime and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the incident. Johnson, who is represented by defense lawyer James Lyons, faces at least 15 years in prison and up to 85 years behind bars.
Demchick-Alloy is expected to sentence the men in November.
Other charges of firstdegree murder, which is an intentional killing, and second-degree murder, a killing committed during the course of another felony such as robbery, will be dismissed against each man in exchange for their admissions to third-degree murder, which is a killing committed with malice.
Convictions of first- or second-degree murder carry mandatory sentences of life imprisonment.
Frazier, who told the judge he last attended school in the 9th grade at Pottstown High School, was supported in court by his grandmother.
Relatives of Lynch wore memorial t-shirts embossed with Lynch’s photo and some wept as the facts surrounding the murder were recited in court.
The investigation began when Norristown police were dispatched to the 500 block of DeKalb Street for a report of a stabbing. Arriving officers found Lynch suffering from multiple stab wounds and he was transported to Mercy Suburban Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
“A blue handled folding knife was located in the grassy area near the victim,” county Detective William Mitchell and Norristown Detective Stephen Sowell alleged in the arrest affidavit.
An autopsy conducted by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office determined Lynch died from multiple stab wounds and the manner of death was ruled homicide. Prosecutors alleged Lynch was stabbed multiple times.
“The decedent was stabbed at least three times, once in the head, neck and once in the torso,” Ruth said in court on Monday. “The victim’s jugular vein was severed, branches of his carotid artery were severed and the victim’s liver was punctured. All injuries caused massive and fatal blood loss.”
Multiple witnesses positively identified the assailants in photo line-ups and authorities also secured video surveillance footage from cameras in the area of the attack, which took place in broad daylight on a Sunday afternoon.
Witnesses reported observing Johnson and Frazier chasing and punching Lynch before the fatal stabbing.
Investigators, in arrest documents, alleged Frazier was inside La Roma’s Restaurant, 548 DeKalb St., when Johnson ran inside and said, “Come on let’s get him,” and both men left the restaurant together.
“(A witness) observed both males leave the restaurant, run across DeKalb Street and attack Lynch,” Mitchell and Sowell alleged. “(The witness) observed both males assaulting and stabbing Lynch.”
One witness reported seeing Frazier go through Lynch’s pockets before he and Johnson fled east on Marshall Street toward Green Street, according to the criminal complaint.
Authorities alleged one or both of the men had a minor dispute with Lynch days earlier, leading up to the attack.