Pubdate: Thu, 10 Jul 2003
Source: Pensacola News Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2003 The Pensacola News Journal
Contact:  http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1675
Author: Brett Norman of the News-Journal

WOMAN GETS 12-YEAR TERM IN DRUG DEATH

Frain Prepared OxyContin Injection That Killed Man

An admitted OxyContin addict was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison 
for preparing an injection of the prescription narcotic that killed a 
37-year-old man on a drug binge.

Laura Frain, right, was sentenced to 12 years in prison by Escambia County 
Circuit Judge Terry Terrell in the death of Eric Seese.

Tony Giberson Laura Frain pleaded for leniency from Circuit Judge Terry Terrell. She said 
she was in the throes of a brutal opiate addiction that had taken her 
career, husband and child when she found herself in May 2001 at the 
late-night party in Cantonment that left Eric Seese dead.

She apologized to Seese's family and spoke of her determination to turn 
others away from drug abuse.

"Eric Seese is a part of my life now. His blood is on my hands, and it 
always will be," she said. But "as long as I'm alive, Eric's life and death 
will not be meaningless."

Seese, with his wife, Holly, invited Frain and her friend, Roger 
Livingston, back to their home after meeting them for the first time a few 
hours earlier at the Scenic Hills Lounge.

It would be Eric Seese's last party.

The case is a testimony to the tragedy of substance abuse, Terrell said 
before he ruled.

"We're talking about two lives that have been destroyed," he said.

The 12-year sentence, to be followed by three years of probation, was in 
the middle of the 9-to- 15-year range reached in a plea agreement. Charged 
with first-degree murder, Frain, 36, was facing life in prison when she 
pleaded guilty May 19 to manslaughter.

The first-degree murder trial of Livingston is pending; his next court 
appearance is scheduled for Aug. 26. Prosecutors say he supplied the 
OxyContin and injected it into Seese's foot.

The testimony Wednesday was added to the first sentencing hearing June 20, 
which could not be completed because of the number of witnesses who wanted 
to testify.

In front of a courtroom packed with more than 50 of her supporters, Frain 
tried to explain that, in the drug culture, what she did - prepare an 
injection for someone who asked for it - seemed natural.

"In the drug world, being asked to fix somebody else's fix is like being 
asked to fix somebody a cup of tea," she said.

Frain, and friends from Brownsville Assembly of God, testified she found 
the Lord after she was jailed and has committed herself to helping other 
inmates.

"I'm here to plead mercy (from) man's court, to give me a lighter sentence 
that I can go out and do good," Frain said.

Terrell heard from the prosecution at the first sentencing hearing, in 
which Seese's relatives from Texas, and his widow, testified. Holly Seese 
mourned the loss of her husband, a successful computer software salesman 
proud of his accomplishments.

"He felt like he came from humble beginnings so he was very proud of what 
he had obtained for us," she said.

She laid the blame for his death on Frain and Livingston.

"I would like for you to know how difficult it is to be a widow at 27," she 
said.

Assistant State Attorney Brenda Neel asked for a 15-year sentence but said 
she and the family are satisfied with 12 years.
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