Crime To Burn

See below for timestamps!

In today's episode we kick off the case of David Michael Crawford, a retired Maryland Police Chief turned serial arsonist. We will be starting with the first arson in a series he was linked to in court with a fire at the home of a fellow city employee. We're bringing you a deep dive into a case I've been researching for over 6 months and currently this case is pending appeal in Maryland. Join us as we dive into one twisted and shocking serial arson case on Crime to Burn.

We begin this case with many disclaimers and explanations about evidence, sources, and testimony in this case and they are important. I have provided time stamps below in case you wish to fast forward to the case but the disclaimers will provide you with additional insight into the judicial process and criminal court cases.

Timestamps:

Disclaimers begin at 2:49

2:49 - 4:08 - A discussion about crimes the defendant has been convicted of and the difference between accused and convicted.

4:08 - 5:06 - An explanation of some evidence presented in court related to fires other than the ones for which he was standing trial.

5:06 - 6:44 - A discussion of the defendant's wife and explanation that she is not accused of being involved nor of having knowledge of her husband's crimes.

6:44 - 8:25 - Discussion of crimes unrelated to the arsons presented in court which members of the defendant's immediate family indicated in press reports they suspect Crawford's involvement.

8:25 - 10:27 - Explanation of court recordings and bench conversations and differentiating between what can be gleaned from the court recordings verses what was known to the jury. Also includes a discussion of hearsay, probative value of evidence and testimony, and prejudicial testimony.

10:27 - 11:45 - Discussion of state's burden in criminal cases and constitutional rights of defendants to not testify.

11:45 - 13:17: Discussion of off the record sources used for this podcast and a reminder that all witnesses are off-limits until the conclusion of the appeal.

13:17 - 15:34 - My own personal implicit bias due to my involvement in some of the organizations involved in this case.

15:34 - 17:05 - Discussion of what court records were obtained and what records were not used and why.

17:05 - 18:12 - Discussion about defense attorney. UPDATE AFTER RECORDING: Mr. Bonsib did reply to my email and provided the appellate brief but has indicated that given the pending appeal, he does not feel it would be appropriate to discuss the case with me. I understand and respect his decision.

18:12 - 20:27 - Discussion about narrative storytelling and using emotions to drive the narrative and a reminder that these perspectives used for storytelling are not intended to imply guilt or innocence of the defendant. Also discussion about authentically presenting the emotions and implications of others and not my own.

20:27 END OF DISCLAIMERS.

Background Music is by Not Notoriously Coordinated.

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Sources used:

Application for Statement of Charges against David Michael Crawford of Ellicott City, MD to the District Court of Maryland filed 3/2/2021; D-101-CR-21-000235. https://www.scribd.com/document/497270007/Charging-Docs-David-Michael-Crawford

Court Recordings from Circuit Court for Howard County - Criminal Case C-13-CR-21-000152. State of Maryland vs. David Michael Crawford. Dates of 2/27/2023 through 3/9/2023.

In the Appellate Court of Maryland, David Michael Crawford (Appellant) v. State of Maryland (Appellee). Appeal from the Circuit Court for Howard County Opening Brief and Appendix of the Appellant.

Personal communications with persons familiar with David Michael Crawford. (off-the-record interviews)

Mann, Alex. "Former Laurel police chief craved authroity, set fires for revenge, Howard prosecutors say." Baltimore Sun, Mar 1, 2023.

Mann, Alex. "Ex-Laurel police chief contacted victims after series of arson fires. He's accused of keeping enemies list, starting blazes." Baltimore Sun. (no date provided in copy used)

Mann, Alex. "'Arson Destroys Persons': Former Laurel Police Chief sentenced to life for Howard County fires." Baltimore Sun. June 27, 2023

Faguy, Ana et. al. "Retired Maryland police chief used arson for vendettas, prosecutors say; a stirring dog may have saved one family." Baltimore Sun, Mar 4, 2021.

Henderso...

In this sixth part of the David Michael Crawford serial arson case, we cover two more of the fires Crawford is accused of setting. The first fire is a truck fire belonging to the son of a former colleague of Crawford's. The second is the home of a husband and wife chiropractor team that had treated Crawford. Then we take all the fires we've covered and put them into chronological order along with the electronic evidence that police found when they executed the search warrant at Crawford's home. Let me tell you, some of the information they found will shock you. Find out why right now on Crime to Burn.

Background Music by Not Notoriously Coordinated

Please follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and Youtube for the latest news on this case. You can email us at [email protected] We welcome any constructive feedback and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating and review.

For a full list of sources, Please refer to Episode 22.

This week we continue our in-depth coverage of the David Michael Crawford serial arson case. Crawford was a retired police chief that spent over 30 years serving the citizens of Baltimore City, Prince George's County, District Heights, and finally ending his career as the Chief of Police for the City of Laurel, MD. After he retired, he is accused of having spent the next 10 years on an arson spree over at least 6 Maryland counties. This week we continue the story covering two more of the alleged fires that were presented in Crawford's jury trial in Howard County. Crawford was convicted for some of his alleged crimes, however, an appeal is currently pending. We've dug deep into this case talking to people that knew Crawford, listening to the court recordings from his trial, and looking into his history as a cop. Get the entire story on Crime to Burn.

Background Music by Not Notoriously Coordinated

You can follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube. We would appreciate a 5 star review. If you have constructive feedback, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] so we can address your concerns before leaving us a low review. Our website is www.crimetoburn.com

Please see the show notes in Part 1 of this case (Episode 22) for a complete list of sources. We also ask that you listen to the important disclaimers in Part 1.

In 1995, after weeks of harassment, a restaurant owned by an immigrant family was set aflame with one of the family members inside the building. She managed to escape and an enraged community rallied in support of the family and to decry the racism that had nearly cost them a neighbor. Police worked quickly and it wasn't long until they were able to make an arrest in this horrific crime. However, the identify of the arsonist only fanned the flames in Fargo, North Dakota. Find out why on this episode of Crime to Burn

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Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated

Sources used:

https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/hate-crime-turned-hoax-shocked-fargo-moorhead-in-1995

https://casetext.com/case/kabob-house-inc-v-houston-gen-ins-co

https://www.interfire.org/res_file/acb_kh.asp

https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/04/us/a-case-of-an-ethnic-attack-is-called-a-hoax.html

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/10/25/north-dakota-woman-survives-alleged-hate-crime/

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/oct/25/iranian-woman-crawls-to-safety-after-attack/

In Part 5 of the David Michael Crawford Serial Arson Case, we have brand new information provided by people that knew Crawford and are familiar with the case plus we have the police reports in the alleged harassment Crawford is accused of committing against his own daughter. We also begin digging into the list of victims found on Crawford's phone. We'll even tell you about a celebrity connection to this case and explore another one of the fires Crawford is accused of setting. So, buckle up buttercup, this case is getting wild. Crawford's appeal in Howard County, Maryland is currently pending in September 2024.

No children were hobbled or duct taped in recording this episode.

Background Music by Not Notoriously Coordinated

Please follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and Youtube for the latest news on this case. You can email us at [email protected] We welcome any constructive feedback and would greatly appreciate a 5 star rating and review.

For a full list of sources, Please refer to Episode 22. New sources are Anne Arundel Police reports for case numbers:

2008-736872

2008-741829

2009-704937

2009-706227

2009-706380

2010-708976

2010-708966

2010-733274

2010-736412

2010-708933