Man could get 10-23 years in prison for murdering his wife
A Donegal Township man police say shot his wife to death in late 2016 has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder.
Joshua P. Crawford, 31, entered the guilty plea early Monday afternoon before county Judge William Shaffer. His attorney, public defender Joseph Smith, said during court proceedings that a plea deal with prosecutors calls for Crawford to serve a sentence of 10 to 23 years in prison.
According to court records, on Dec. 4, 2016, Crawford shot and killed his wife of three months, Sarah Crawford, inside their East Slippery Rock Road home during an argument.
Police said the couple was arguing when Crawford attempted to shoot himself with a .30-06 hunting rifle, but the gun did not fire. Crawford then turned the gun on his wife, shooting her a single time in the chest.
To learn more about this case, read Tuesday's Butler Eagle.
