Crime To Burn

In Part 7 of the David Michael Crawford Serial Arson Case, we address the final name on Crawford's "target list" found by investigators in his phone. The entry simply read "Evelyn 2" which sounds as benign as a dinner reservation. However, this entry represents a living nightmare for one Howard County family. Crawford was charged with attempting to kill them in their home by burning it down while they slept. He was convicted of attempted murder but his case is currently pending appeal in Maryland. Listen now to the 7th part in the David Crawford arson saga right now on Crime to Burn. 

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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. 

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. 

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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. 

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. 

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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

In part 4 of the David Michael Crawford case, we get into some truly horrifying allegations made by David's daughter Carrie against her father. We don't have any proof that David is responsible for these crimes but Carrie made allegations in several news sources after her dad was found guilty. If these allegations are true, one word comes to mind: psychopath. If these allegations are true, it's horrifying to think that Crawford had a more than 30 year career as a cop. Tune in now to hear the continuation of the serial arsonist case that rocked Maryland for over a decade. 

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Please refer to Episode 22: Part 1 of the David Michael Crawford case for full list of sources and important disclaimers. 

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Please consider leaving us a 5 star review wherever you listen to your podcasts and we'd be so grateful if you'd subscribe to our youtube channel. 

This week we continue the saga of the David Michael Crawford serial arson case. Today we dig deep into family drama that allegedly resulted in three separate fires targeting a single family. The most shocking part is that the family targeted was that of David Crawford's own stepson. But the drama doesn't end here. Crawford's own daughter has some really insane allegations to lob at her father that have nothing to do with the serial arson case. This already unbelievable case is about to go completely off the rails. 

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Please refer to Episode 22, Part 1 of the David Michael Crawford case for full list of sources and important disclaimers. 

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and X. Please consider leaving us a 5 star review wherever you listen to your podcasts and we'd be so grateful if you'd subscribe to our youtube channel. 

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. 

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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.  

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. 

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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. 

Henderson, Evelyn Palattella. "My neighbor and former Police Chief burned down my house twice." Medium. Mar 9, 2021.

Morse, Dan. "Serial arsonist tracked through dog hair, surveilance video and grudges, officials allege." The Washington Post March 4, 2021. 

"Testimony from arson victims, including suspects own family, suggest fires set out of revenge." https://www.wbaltv.com/article/david-crawford-arson-trial-fire-victims-testimony/43162693. Accessed Mar 15, 2024.

Chappell, Bill. "A former Police Chief in MD. Was A 'Serial Arsonist,' Authorities Say." https://www.npr.org/2021/03/04/973696073/a-former-police-chief-in-md-was-a-serial-arsonist-authorities-say. NPR. Mar 4, 2021. Accessed Mar 15, 2021.

Fenton, Justin. "Ex-police chief's daughter details terrorizing act in court filing." The Washington Post. May 9 2021. 

Murchison, Joe. "Arsonist's twisted trail." Streetcar Suburbs News. https://streetcarsuburbs.news/arsonists-twisted-trail/ Accessed Mar 15, 2024.

Former Laurel police chief gets life sentences in arson case. WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyJM2ndLt4U

Former Maryland Police Chief Sentenced to Life In Prison in Arson Cases. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/video/former-maryland-police-chief-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-in-arson-cases-185384517841

"Former Maryland police chief accused fo setting 12 "revenge fires" sentenced to multiple life terms. CBS News. Jun 28, 2023. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-crawford-revenge-fires-ex-maryland-police-chief-sentenced-multiple-life-terms/

David Crawford LinkedIn Page, Ellicott City, Maryland, United States. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-crawford-47537813b

Morse, Dan. "Former Maryland police chief gets life prison terms for arson spree." The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/06/27/david-crawford-arson-life-sentences/

Palmer, Emily. "Ex Maryland Police Chief Set 12 'Revenge fires,' Gets Multiple Life Sentences. People Magazine. Updated Jun 28, 2023. https://people.com/ex-maryland-police-chief-revenge-fires-multiple-life-sentences-7554649

Carballo, Rebecca. "Ex-Police Chief in Maryland Gets Multiple Life Terms in Series of Arsons." The New York times. Jun 27, 2023.

Gilstrap, Samantha. "Former police Chief handed 8 life sentences for series of arsons across Maryland." WUSA9. Updated Jun 27, 2023. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/former-laurel-police-chief-handed-8-life-sentences-for-series-of-arsons-across-maryland/65-f242e76b-c648-4077-91b3-b983a008fcaf

Neammanee, Pocharapon. "Former Police Chief Who Set Series of Fires as Revenge Sentenced to Life in Prison." Huffpost. Jun 28, 2023. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/police-chief-arson-revenge-life-sentence_n_649c6017e4b0cd6f7df15fc7

Lambe, Jerry. "Evil and terrifying: Ex-police chief gets 8 life sentences for setting series of fires targeting rivals and people he believed slighted him." Law & Crime. Jun 28, 2023, https://lawandcrime.com/crime/evil-and-terrifying-ex-police-chief-gets-8-life-sentences-for-setting-series-of-fires-targeting-rivals-and-people-he-believed-slighted-him/

Duffy, Ken. "Former Laurel Police Chief David Crawford gets life sentences in arson cases." WBAL News Radio. Jun 27, 2023. https://www.wbal.com/former-laurel-police-chief-david-crawford-gets-life-sentences-in-arson-cases/

Massie, Graeme. "Ex-Maryland police chief senntenced to life for string of revenge arson attacks." The Independent. Los Angeles. Jun 28, 2023. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/maryland-police-chief-arson-sentencing-b2365958.html

Skene, Lea. "Ex-police chief convicted in 4 arsons targeting his enemies." AP News. 9 Mar 2023. https://apnews.com/article/maryland-police-chief-convicted-arson-31f2c9e5c38891415c18ffc901361e86

VerHeist, Megan. "Ex-MD Police Chief Accused of Arson Kept 'Target list': Reports. Mar 2, 2023. https://patch.com/maryland/ellicottcity/ex-md-police-chief-accused-arson-kept-target-list-reports

Reed, Lillian. "Former Laurel police chief gets two life sentences plus 75 years for setting fires." The Baltimore Banner, Jun 27, 2023.

Osborne, Mark. "Former police chief facing dozens of attempted murder charges in alleged arsons." 6ABC Philadelphia. Mar 4, 2021.

News Release - Office of the State's Attorney for Howard County. Ellicott City Resident David Crawford Sentenced to Mu;tiple Life Sentences Plus 75 Years in Serial Arson Case. https://howardcountysao.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/David-Crawford-Sentencing-6.27.23.pdf

Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department. "Serial Arsonist Arrested in Multi-Jurisdictional Investigation." Mar 3, 2021. https://pgfdpio.blogspot.com/2021/03/serial-arsonist-arrested-in-multi.html

Leonard, Kevin. "Crawford's Reign of Terror." Voices of Laurel., https://www.voicesoflaurel.com/post/crawford-s-reign-of-terror

Riess, Rebekah et. al. "Former police chief is facing charges over fires authorities say were linked to people he had disagreements with." CNN US. Mar 4, 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/us/maryland-former-chief-attempted-murder-arson-charges/index.html

"Daughter of Laurel Police Chief Turned Alleged Arsonist David Crawford Speaks Out." WJZ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58Kvo7Ac57s

Swalec, Andrea. "Ex-Police Chief Suspected in Maryland "Revenge" Arsons Kept List of Targets: Officials." NBC 4 Washington. Mar 4, 2021. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/ex-police-chief-suspected-in-maryland-revenge-arsons-kept-list-of-targets-officials/2595652/

Bonessi, Dominique Maria. "Former Md. Police Chief Arrested in Connection to a Dozen Arson Attacks." DCist. Mar 3, 2021. https://dcist.com/story/21/03/03/laurel-maryland-police-chief-david-crawford-arson-fires/

Stabley, Matthew, et. al. "Former Police Chief Accused of Maryland Arsons Over Decade." NBC 4 Washington. Mar 3, 2021. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/former-police-chief-charged-in-series-of-arsons-in-maryland-since-2011/2594009/

TooFab Staff. "Police Finally Catch Serial Arson Suspect After Decade of Fire Attacks - And It's Their Former Chief." TooFab. Mar 5, 2021. https://toofab.com/2021/03/05/police-finally-catch-serial-arson-suspect-after-decade-of-fire-attacks-and-its-their-former-chief/

Baumgart, Jacob. "Stepson's House Fires Tied To Former Laurel Police Chief: Report." Bowie Patch. May 13, 2021. https://patch.com/maryland/bowie/stepsons-house-fires-tied-former-laurel-police-chief-report

I have been researching this case for over 6 months and have made a good faith effort to include all relevant sources. I will update this list as required during the course of this series. If I discover I have omitted a source from this list, I will correct it as soon as I recognize the omission. It's completely possible that I've stashed some papers in some bag or corner I missed while compiling my sources for this reference list. Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you have concerns.  

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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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/

It's one of the weirdest cases of arson I've ever heard. A one-eyed hitman, an adult entertainment and novelty empire, cocaine, tax fraud, hand grenades, bombings, and of course, arson... actually a few arsons. There's no easy way to sum up this case neatly in one coherent description so you're just going to need to go click play and make sure you're sitting down because this case has more crazy than you can shake a rubber anatomically correct appendage at. Join us to find out how "stiff" competition led to this faux phallus flambé on Crime to Burn.

Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X. You can email us feedback at [email protected]. We would appreciate a 5 star review on whatever platform you use to listen. You can now listen to Crime to Burn on our YouTube Channel. 

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Sources used: 

https://archive.findlaw.com/blog/federal-lawsuit-dueling-porn-stores-turned-to-arson-fraud/

https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Prosecutor-Repeat-porn-shop-arsonist-for-hire-5066978.php

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/vancouver-man-pleads-guilty-arson-conspiracy

https://casetext.com/case/bookstore

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2013/11/michael_wright_cocaine_crackin.html

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2013/11/michael_wright_right_2_dream_t.html

https://www.vice.com/en/article/vdxa3x/the-porn-store-rivalry-involving-arson-assassination-plots-and-a-one-eyed-outlaw

On this Episode of Crime to Burn, we cover what happens when good animals go bad. From feathered friends joining together to commit arson to beavers chewing their way into felonious behavior, and even the offspring of dear old Smokey the Bear burning down cabins, we're bringing you a series of tails... er tales about animals that started fires. And before you go thinking that all animal-involved conflagrations are accidental and lack intent, you better listen because there is one particular animal that scientists believe intentionally sets fires. Join us to hear all about arsonists of the animal world on Crime to Burn. 

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Sources used:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_beetle

https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/could-any-creature-evolve-to-breathe-fire-like-a-dragon

https://corvidresearch.blog/tag/crows-stealing-candles/

https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-ethnobiology/volume-37/issue-4/0278-0771-37.4.700/Intentional-Fire-Spreading-by-Firehawk-Raptors-in-Northern-Australia/10.2993/0278-0771-37.4.700.full