Richard Crawford was found guilty of sexual abuse

Richard Crawford was found guilty of sexually abusing his girlfriends daugher for 5 years. He was convicted of 390 counts- with almost 100 of them have a five year mandatory sentence. The judge has allowed him to remain out on bond, because he's not sure if this guy fits in with PA's Meagan's Law- which would list him as a violent sexual offender.

Now, the judge has played games during the entire process, including allowing delays on the case, and questioning "how the laws read" on certain aspects. And, now with him still out on bail (since dec of last year in fact) there is a chance the the judge may decide to have the sentence all pushed together ( i know, I'm forgetting the word for it) rather than consecutively- which would mean that this predator could be free in as little as 5 years.

The DA will be sending me some documents in the morning, and I've been working on a post about this- with a little more background information on the case. The hope is to get enough attention to it that the judge gets off his liberal ass and sentences this predator, for the longest amount of time possible. The DA, who is as nice as you can imagine is really wanting public support to get this case settled- my post will have a little more information on what this child had to go through in order to have him brought to justice- which included wearing a wire and having Crawford admit what he did.


http://www.wjactv.com/news/11263819/detail.html?rss=john&psp=news
Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins said he is furious because Judge Daniel Howsare would not sentence a man already convicted of 390 counts of sexually assaulting a young girl.Richard Crawford molested his ex-girlfriend's daughter for five years, from the time she was 7-years-old until she was 12. Despite his conviction last December, the victim still does not have justice.Higgins said he blames the judge."Here's an opportunity to take a violent sex offender off the street and the judge doesn't take the opportunity to do that and lets him walk out of the courtroom," said Higgins.Howsare refused to comment about his decision, but Higgins said it's because Howsare isn't sure if Crawford is really a sexually violent predator. For the state, there's no question."The state offender association board has determined he is a sexually violent predator," said Higgins. "We just need the court to go along with that."Higgins asked the judge to at least put Crawford in jail until the sentencing, but the judge denied the request. He also wouldn't reschedule a new sentencing date until after he reviews the Megan's Law qualifications."I expressed my opinion in court," Higgins said. "I told him I was strongly objecting to the man walking out of the courtroom at liberty. It's very upsetting. Not only for me as a prosecutor, but for the victim. To look the victim in the eye and say we haven't been able to give justice for you yet."Higgins said he is very worried Crawford could run. There was a similar situation in 2001 where convicted sexual offender, David Chalfante, fled before his sentencing.There is a mandatory sentence of five years for each of the sexual abuse counts and with 390 of them, Higgins said Crawford will likely spend the rest of his life in jail.


Anyone that can post on this, please email me. There is no question this man is guilty- despite the fact that he is currently running around free.

Thanks,

~Lilo
Lost In Lima Ohio
www.lostinlimaohio.com
www.myspace.com/lilo_lostinlimaohio


Also, if you want to send this out to people who might be willing to make a few calls on behalf of this child the judges contact info is :


Honorable Judge Daniel L. Howsare
President Judge

Courtroom No. 1
Courthouse Annex
Juliana Street
Bedford PA 15522
Phone: (814) 623-4810
Fax: (814)623-3858

http://lostinlimaohio.blogspot.com/2007/03/judge-daniel-l-howsare.html

http://lostinlimaohio.googlepages.com/crawford.pdf