NORWICH – Less than 36 hours after she was allegedly raped, an underage victim appeared in Norwich City Court to face her alleged 42-year-old attacker, detailing the threats made against her life.
Myron K. Frasier, 42, of Beebe Avenue, Norwich, was arrested at around 5 a.m. March 18 by Norwich Police Officers over an incident that allegedly took place at around 10 p.m. March 17, the night prior, on St. Patrick’s Day.
Frasier is charged with first degree rape, first degree criminal sexual act, third degree criminal sexual act and four counts of third degree rape (statutory).
Acting City Court Judge James Cushman said Frasier also had two other prior pending charges of welfare fraud and offering a false instrument for filing.
The alleged victim testified that the last exchange between she and Frasier took place in her home while her mother and sister were upstairs sleeping. Following the March 17 incident, the victim told the court she immediately decided to tell her mother, who then contacted the Norwich PD.
The 15-year-old was the only witness called at Thursday’s felony hearing and she was seated less than 10 feet in front of the accused, facing him from the stand.
District Attorney Joseph A. McBride began questioning the girl, but was forced to stop because the 15-year-old was overcome with emotion and tears.
“Do you know the difference between good touch, bad touch, (victim’s name)?” asked McBride, who waited for over a minute for the girl to respond.
“It’s OK. Are you having trouble with that one? Your honor, the victim is not able to speak and seems very upset and because of her age and her emotional state, I would ask that I be allowed to lead the witness for purposes of this hearing,” requested McBride.
Frasier’s Assigned Defense Attorney Aaron A. Dean objected to the move, but Cushman ruled in favor of the DA.
The 15-year-old told the court Frasier first initiated a sexual relationship with her in December of 2008 and that he had threatened to shoot her if she told anyone about the exchanges.
“Can you tell me specifically when he threatened you?” asked McBride.
“A lot of times,” replied the girl.
“Tell the court the threats the defendant made to you prior to Tuesday night,” said the DA.
“He said that if I ever told anyone, he’d kill me,” said the alleged victim.
“Did he ever tell you how he’d kill you?”
“He said he’d shoot me,” she said.
Wednesday, City Court Judge James Downey ordered the removal of five “long guns” from Frasier’s residence, along with a handgun.
Dean requested that the guns be returned, saying they did not belong to his client. Dean said the weapons were owned by Frasier’s girlfriend and brother. “The guns have absolutely nothing to do with it,” he said.
“I’m not impressed with the fact Mr. Frasier does not own the weapons, so you get no points for that,” said Cushman. “They were still accessible by him or anyone else at the household wishing harm, supposing they had such an intent,” added the judge, who denied to return the firearms.
Based on the girl’s testimony, Cushman ruled that he did indeed believe there was probable cause that Frasier committed a felony and ordered the case be reviewed by the Chenango County grand jury. If indicted, Frasier will appear in Chenango County Court over the felony charges.
Cushman also upheld Downey’s previous ruling and remanded the defendant to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 bail.