Joshua Crawford

A Donegal Township man accused of shooting his wife to death might consider an insanity defense.

In Butler County Court recently, Joshua P. Crawford, 30, filed a notice of mental infirmity or insanity defense. This type of court record opens the door for that type of defense if the case goes to trial, but does not obligate the defendant to pursue it.

Crawford’s attorney, public defender Joseph Smith said, “There’s a very real likelihood that my client was suffering from a mental infirmity or other related episode that could have a bearing on his state of mind when the incident occurred.”

According to court records, on Dec. 4 Crawford allegedly shot and killed his wife of three months, Sarah Crawford, inside their East Slippery Rock Road home.

According to court records and previous court testimony, the couple was quarreling when Crawford grabbed an already loaded magazine, placed it in his .30-06 hunting rifle and attempted to shoot himself.

When the gun did not fire, Sarah Crawford allegedly called the defendant names and encouraged him to shoot himself, police said. The suspect then allegedly turned the rifle on his wife.

Sarah Crawford died of a single gunshot wound to the chest.

In the recently filed court records, Smith alleges that Crawford on the night of the incident was suicidal and likely suffering a mental health issue. Meantime, the documents indicate Crawford, who is awaiting trail in the Butler County Prison, is being evaluated for mental health issues, as well as his competency to stand trial. Smith said no hearing would be scheduled on this topic until the evaluations are complete.

Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz is prosecuting the case.

Crawford is charged with a general count of homicide and a felony count of assault.