Execution Date Set For Spalding County Murderer (For Immediate Release July 12, 2004)
Eddie A. Crawford to be executed on Wednesday, July 19, 2004

Atlanta - The Spalding County Superior Court has ordered the execution of convicted murderer Eddie Albert Crawford, age 57. The Court ordered the Department to carry out the execution between noon on July 19, 2004 and ending seven days later at noon on July 26, 2004.

The execution is scheduled to take place at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 19, 2004.

Crawford was sentenced to death in March, 1984 for the September 25, 1983 rape and murder of his 29-month-old niece, Leslie Michelle English. The toddler was strangled to death, bruised and raped. The Georgia Supreme Court reversed his conviction and sentence on May 31, 1985. Crawford was re-indicted on October 9, 1985 and re-convicted and sentenced to death in February, 1987. He was on probation at the time of the murder. If executed, Crawford will be the 13th inmate put to death by lethal injection.

Media interested in a picture of Crawford and a listing of his crimes may go to the Department of Corrections website (www.dcor.state.ga.us). At the main menu, look to the right and click on "inmate query." An acknowledgement of the disclaimer will allow access to the "offender query" page. To retrieve a photo and information, enter GDC ID number 140628.

Georgia Attorney General

Attorney General Baker Announces Execution Date for Eddie Albert Crawford (July 7, 2004)

Georgia Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker offers the following information in the case against Eddie Albert Crawford, who is currently scheduled to be executed at 7:00 p.m. on July 19, 2004.

Scheduled Execution

On July 7, 2004, the Superior Court of Spalding County filed an order, setting the seven-day window in which the execution of Eddie Albert Crawford may occur to begin at noon, July 19, 2004, and end seven days later at noon on July 26, 2004. The Commissioner of the Department of Corrections has set the specific date and time for the execution as 7:00 p.m., July 19, 2004, pursuant to the discretion given the Commissioner under state law. Eddie Albert Crawford has concluded his direct appeal, as well as state and federal habeas corpus proceedings.

Crawford’s Crimes

The Supreme Court of Georgia summarized the facts of the case as follows:

The evidence at trial showed that the victim and the victim's mother, Wanda English, resided with Mrs. English's parents. The defendant was married to, but estranged from, one of Mrs. English's sisters at the time of the victim's death. At approximately 11:00 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 1983, Mrs. English readied the victim for bed. The defendant arrived at the victim's residence and asked Mrs. English to accompany him to a liquor store. Mrs. English agreed. The defendant was intoxicated and, en route from the liquor store, made an unsuccessful attempt to purchase marijuana. The two returned to Mrs. English's residence where the defendant asked Mrs. English to spend the night with him. When she refused, the defendant left.

Mrs. English encountered the defendant later that same night at the house of another of her sisters. During this visit the defendant kicked an ashtray off a table which struck Mrs. English. As Mrs. English picked up the ashtray's contents, the defendant "grabbed her and pushed her." Mrs. English yelled that she would not allow him to treat her like that, then threw the ashtray at him. As Mrs. English left her sister's home, the defendant swore and called to her, "I'll fix you."

During this time the victim was in the care of Mrs. English's father, Raymond Fuller. Mr. Fuller testified that before he went to bed at 3:00 a.m., he observed the victim sleeping and pulled the bedclothes about her. Mr. Fuller testified he returned to his own bed and fell asleep. He stated that "sometime later" he was awakened by the defendant walking through the house with a lighted cigarette lighter. Mr. Fuller saw the defendant walking through the victim's bedroom in the direction of the bathroom. As the defendant was a family member and frequent guest in his home, Mr. Fuller did not consider this unusual. Mr. Fuller testified he again fell asleep and did not wake up until 5:00 a.m. when Wanda English returned home and discovered the victim missing.

Charles Durham, who lives in a house adjacent to the Fullers, testified that between 3:45 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., he observed the defendant drive up to the Fuller home and exit his car, leaving the car headlights on and the motor running. Mr. Durham testified that "about five minutes later" he noticed the defendant's car drive away.

When Wanda English could not locate the victim upon her return home at 5:00 a.m., she initiated a search throughout the neighborhood. She observed the defendant in his car, parked with the motor running, in front of a neighboring house, and asked if he had seen the victim. The defendant replied that he had not. Later, when the victim's grandfather asked the defendant if he knew where the victim could be found, the defendant replied "Randy [the victim's father] done it."

In the following days the defendant gave three inconsistent stories concerning where he had been between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on September 25. When interviewed by law enforcement officers on September 27, 1983, the defendant stated that he could remember speaking to the victim's grandfather before the victim's disappearance, but he remembered nothing more of what took place at the Fuller residence. The defendant told police that he remembered driving his car, with the victim in his lap, and trying to wake up the victim, "but she would not talk to [him.]" The defendant stated he believed the victim was "mad" because she would not respond to him. The defendant stated he stopped his car and walked "on pavement" with the victim in his arms. The defendant stated he remembered getting back into his car without the victim, but did not remember anything that had occurred in the interim.

The victim's body, clothed only in a pajama top, was discovered in a wooded area on September 26, 1983. An autopsy revealed the victim died as a result of asphyxiation. The victim had sustained a number of bruises and cuts about the left side of her face. There was a tear in the victim's vaginal opening. Based on the size and shape of the tear, the pathologist who performed the autopsy opined that it had been made by "an object more consistent with a penis than other objects." The pathologist stated his opinion that death occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. on September 25, 1983.

The forensic evidence indicated that several head and pubic hairs consistent with those of the defendant were found on the victim's body. Carpet fibers found on the victim's body were consistent with the fibers of the carpet in the defendant's car.

Crawford v. State, 254 Ga. 435, 436-437, 330 S.E.2d 567 (1985). (footnote omitted).

The Original Trial

The Spalding County Grand Jury indicted Crawford for the murder of Leslie Michelle English during the February Term, 1984. Crawford was tried on February 27 through March 8, 1984, and found guilty as charged in the indictment by a jury in the Superior Court of Spalding County, Georgia on March 7, 1984. On March 8, 1984, Crawford was sentenced to death for the murder.

The First Direct Appeal Proceeding

The Supreme Court of Georgia reversed Crawford’s conviction and sentence on May 31, 1985 in Crawford v. State, 254 Ga. 435, 330 S.E.2d 567 (1985). Specifically, the court found that “kidnapping with bodily injury,” and not mere “kidnapping,” was a statutory aggravating circumstance. Id. at 441.

The Interlocutory Appeal

The Supreme Court of Georgia denied Crawford’s interlocutory appeal of the trial court’s denial of Crawford’s plea of former jeopardy in Crawford v. State, 256 Ga. 57, 344 S.E.2d. 215 (1986). Crawford’s petition for certiorari was denied by the United States Supreme Court in Crawford v. Georgia, 478 U.S. 989 (1986).

The Second Trial

Crawford was reindicted for murder and felony murder in the Superior Court of Spalding County on October 9, 1985. Crawford was retried and convicted of felony murder on February 5, 1987, and was once again sentenced to death on February 6. 1987.

The Second Direct Appeal Proceeding

The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed Crawford’s conviction and sentence on November 19, 1987. Crawford v. State, 257 Ga. 681, 362 S.E.2d. 201 (1987). Crawford’s motion for reconsideration was denied by the Supreme Court of Georgia on December 16, 1987. Crawford’s petition for a writ of certiorari was denied by the United States Supreme Court on February 21, 1989. Crawford v. Georgia, 489 U.S. 1040 (1989). Crawford’s motion for rehearing was denied on April 24, 1989. Crawford v. Georgia, 490 U.S. 1042 (1989).

State Habeas Corpus Petition

Crawford, represented by Michael Mears and Elizabeth J. Vila, filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the Superior Court of Butts County, Georgia, on August 20, 1990. After an evidentiary hearing conducted on July 31, 1992, the state habeas corpus court denied Crawford state habeas corpus relief on May 21, 1993. Crawford’s application for a certificate of probable cause filed in the Supreme Court of Georgia was denied on November 24, 1993, and Crawford’s motion for reconsideration was denied on or about December 7, 1993. Crawford’s petition for a writ of certiorari was denied by the United States Supreme Court on April 24, 1995 in Crawford v. Zant, 514 U.S. 1082 (1995). On June 12, 1995, Crawford’s petition for rehearing was denied. Crawford v. Zant, 515 U.S. 1137 (1995).

Federal Habeas Corpus Petition

Crawford filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Newnan Division, on April 23, 1997. An evidentiary hearing was conducted on March 31, 1999. The district court dismissed various claims raised by Crawford in preliminary orders of May 6, 1999 and May 19, 1999. After the filing of substantive briefs on behalf of the parties, the federal habeas corpus court entered its initial order denying relief to Crawford on February 22, 2000. This order was amended on March 2, 2000. The federal district court denied a motion to alter or amend judgment on December 7, 2000. On or about January 8, 2001, Crawford filed an application for a certificate of probable cause to appeal. On April 2, 2001, the United States District Court granted a Certificate of Appealability with respect to his ineffective assistance of counsel claim.

Appeal to the Eleventh Circuit

On or around April 25, 2001, Crawford filed a motion to expand the Certificate of Appealability. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit granted this motion in part on May 25, 2001. Oral argument was held on June 10, 2002. On November 12, 2002, the Eleventh Circuit issued an opinion which denied relief. Crawford v. Head, 311 F.3d 1288 (11th Cir. 2002). Crawford filed a petition for panel rehearing on January 17, 2003, which was denied on February 11, 2003. Crawford filed a petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court on August 11, 2003. The United States Supreme Court denied certiorari on October 14, 2003. Crawford filed a petition for rehearing in the United States Supreme Court on November 10, 2003, which was denied on December 8, 2003.

Extraordinary Motion for New Trial and for Post-Conviction DNA Testing

Crawford filed an Extraordinary Motion for New Trial and for Post-Conviction DNA Testing in the Superior Court of Spalding County on 10/15/03. The Superior Court of Spalding County denied his motion for DNA testing on 11/21/03. Crawford then filed a petition for rehearing in the Superior Court of Spalding County, which was denied on 12/2/03. The Superior Court of Spalding County entered an execution order setting Crawford’s execution for 12/10/03. Crawford filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the denial of his extraordinary motion for new trial and for post-conviction DNA testing, Motion for Stay of Execution, and a Brief in Support in the Georgia Supreme Court on 12/5/03. The Georgia Supreme Court entered an order staying Crawford’s execution and granting his application to appeal on 12/10/03. An oral argument was held in the Georgia Supreme Court on 3/8/04. On 6/7/04, the Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s denial of Crawford’s motion for further DNA testing in that “even assuming the reality of the DNA testing results Crawford has hypothesized, such results would not in reasonable probability have led to Crawford’s acquittal, or to his receiving a sentence less than death, if they had been available at Crawford’s trial.” Crawford v. State, No. S04A0589 (Sup. Ct. Ga. June 7, 2004). The Georgia Supreme Court also lifted its previously entered stay of execution. Crawford filed a Motion for Reconsideration, which was denied on June 28, 2004.

AccessNorthGeorgia.Com

"Georgia man executed for 1983 rape and murder of 2-year-old niece." (AP July 20, 2004)

JACKSON, Ga. - Eddie Albert Crawford was executed by injection Monday for kidnapping, raping and murdering his 2-year-old niece in 1983. Crawford, 57, was pronounced dead at 7:49 p.m. after 20 years on death row, two trials and a seven-month delay since his execution was originally scheduled for December.

Prosecutors argued at trial he sneaked into the house and kidnapped the girl, Leslie Michelle English, after her mother, his sister-in-law, refused to have sex with him. Crawford claims he blacked out after heavy drinking and doesn't remember what happened.

The U.S. Supreme Court wouldn't stop the execution earlier Monday, although three of the court's more liberal members supported giving Crawford a stay to conduct DNA testing of hairs found on the girl's body. An application for a stay of execution and petition for rehearing was denied by the court at 6:59 p.m., just before the scheduled time of the execution. Another request for a stay was denied on a 5-4 vote at 7:35 p.m.

Crawford, lying on a gurney, mumbled a final statement before the fatal injection was administered. "There hasn't been a time in the last 21 years I wouldn't have laid down my life for little Leslie. I don't remember anything. If this will give them peace it was well worth it." After the injection, Crawford took a deep breath, gulped and yawned. His breathing grew progressively shallow before he died. More than 20 members of the victim's family and their friends were on the prison grounds. Many clapped their hands and cheered as officers removed the body.

Crawford, a Vietnam veteran, was spared execution in December while the Georgia Supreme Court considered appeals asking for additional DNA testing of hairs. The court later allowed the execution to go forward. Danny English, Leslie's uncle said, "I'm just proud as I can be. Proud the man had to pay the price. He committed the crime. It wasn't about DNA. They just wanted to buy him a little more time."

About 15 death penalty protesters also were present. They held signs with wording such as "No killing in my name" and "Stop executions now." One protester, Mugambi Jouet, said, "the fact that DNA testing was refused in this case shows how much we as a country value human life." Crawford was linked to the crime by hair and carpet fibers found on the girl's body, as well as her blood found in his car. Several courts had ruled that additional testing of hairs would not clear Crawford's name even if it found the hairs didn't belong to him.

Crawford's lawyers hoped DNA testing of the new hairs would point to one of three men convicted or accused of child molestation, including some family members, who may have had access to the girl that night. The hairs will be tested in the coming weeks by the Georgia Innocence Project, even though the execution went forward, said Aimee Maxwell, the project's executive director.

Earlier in the day, Crawford was served a last meal: a standard institutional tray of barbecue pork, black-eyed peas, a vegetable medley, cole slaw, a roll, peach cobbler and a grape drink. He did not eat any of it, said Department of Corrections spokeswoman Peggy Chapman.

The execution was the second in Georgia this month and the state's 36th since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976.

ProDeathPenalty.com

Eddie Albert Crawford was convicted for the murder of his 29-month-old niece, Leslie English. The evidence at trial showed that Leslie and the her mother, Wanda English, resided with Mrs. English's parents. Eddie Crawford was married to, but estranged from, one of Mrs. English's sisters at the time of Leslie's death. At approximately 11:00 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 1983, Mrs. English readied Leslie for bed. Crawford arrived at the home and asked Mrs. English to accompany him to a liquor store. Mrs. English agreed. Crawford was intoxicated and, en route from the liquor store, made an unsuccessful attempt to purchase marijuana. The two returned to Mrs. English's residence where Crawford asked Mrs. English to spend the night with him. When she refused, he left.

Mrs. English encountered Crawford later that same night at the house of another of her sisters. During this visit Crawford kicked an ashtray off a table which struck Mrs. English. As Mrs. English picked up the ashtray's contents, Crawford "grabbed her and pushed her." Mrs. English yelled that she would not allow him to treat her like that, then threw the ashtray at him. As Mrs. English left her sister's home, Crawford swore and called to her, "I'll fix you." During this time Leslie was in the care of Mrs. English's father, Raymond Fuller. Mr. Fuller testified that before he went to bed at 3:00 a.m., he observed Leslie sleeping and pulled the bedclothes about her. Mr. Fuller testified he returned to his own bed and fell asleep. He stated that "sometime later" he was awakened by Crawford walking through the house with a lighted cigarette lighter. Mr. Fuller saw Crawford walking through Leslie's bedroom in the direction of the bathroom. As Crawford was a family member and frequent guest in his home, Mr. Fuller did not consider this unusual. Mr. Fuller testified he again fell asleep and did not wake up until 5:00 a.m. when Wanda English returned home and discovered Leslie missing.

A neighbor who lived in a house adjacent to the Fullers testified that between 3:45 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., he observed Crawford drive up to the Fuller home and exit his car, leaving the car headlights on and the motor running. The neighbor testified that "about five minutes later" he noticed the car drive away. When Wanda English could not locate Leslie upon her return home at 5:00 a.m., she initiated a search throughout the neighborhood. She observed Crawford in his car, parked with the motor running, in front of a neighboring house, and asked if he had seen Leslie. Crawford replied that he had not. Later, when Leslie's grandfather asked Crawford if he knew where the victim could be found, Crawford replied "Randy [the victim's father] done it." In the following days Crawford gave three inconsistent stories concerning where he had been between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on September 25.

When interviewed by law enforcement officers on September 27, 1983, Crawford stated that he could remember speaking to Leslie's grandfather before Leslie's disappearance, but he remembered nothing more of what took place at the Fuller residence. Crawford told police that he remembered driving his car, with Leslie in his lap, and trying to wake her up, "but she would not talk to me." Crawford stated he believed the child was "mad" because she would not respond to him. Crawford stated he stopped his car and walked "on pavement" with Leslie in his arms. Crawford stated he remembered getting back into his car without Leslie, but did not remember anything that had occurred in the interim. Leslie's body, clothed only in a pajama top, was discovered in a wooded area on September 26, 1983.

An autopsy revealed she died as a result of asphyxiation. Two-and-a-half-year-old Leslie had sustained a number of bruises and cuts about the left side of her face. There was a tear in her vaginal opening. Based on the size and shape of the tear, the pathologist who performed the autopsy opined that it had been made by "an object more consistent with a penis than other objects." The pathologist stated his opinion that death occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. on September 25, 1983.

Considerable hair and fiber evidence was found on Leslie's body, including three hairs on her pajama top that were consistent with Crawford's head hair, and some fibers that were consistent with fibers from Crawford's car. Also, the police recovered the tee-shirt worn by Crawford on the night of the murder, which they found stuffed behind a dresser in the house in which Crawford slept on the night of the murder. The shirt had blood on it, although the blood could not be typed conclusively. In addition, a pillow case, mattress pad, and bed sheet were recovered on the edge of the road not far from Leslie's body, and Crawford's wife identified these items as coming from their trailer. This bedding also had hairs consistent with both Crawford and Leslie, as well as fibers consistent with the carpet in Crawford's car. Type O blood, the type shared by Leslie and Crawford, was found on the bed sheet.

National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

Eddie Albert Crawford - GA - July 19

The state of Georgia is scheduled to execute Eddie Crawford, a white man, July 19 for the 1983 murder of his niece, Leslie Michelle English, in Spalding County. Mr. Crawford is a veteran of the U.S. military, having served in Vietnam. He was scheduled for execution in December 2003, but the execution was stayed as his lawyers pursued avenues to allow for DNA testing. The Supreme Court of Georgia ruled that DNA evidence did not matter, as Mr. Crawford was linked to the crime by hair and carpet fibers.

Mr. Crawford’s first conviction and sentence was overturned. He was retried and resentenced in 1987. As it was a highly visible case in Spalding County, the defense filed motions for a change in venue. A Georgia judge denied these motions and Mr. Crawford’s case was decided by a jury that was comprised of eight jurors who were familiar with the previous trial, five jurors who knew he had been convicted, and three jurors who were aware that he had been previously sentenced to death.

Mr. Crawford argues ineffective assistance of counsel, largely because his trial attorney did not receive the funds and assistance he needed. The defense filed numerous motions for an additional attorney, scientific experts, an investigator, a challenge to jury array, a community prejudice survey to support a change in venue, and a medical doctor to present critical mitigation evidence on the brain functioning of alcoholics.

Mr. Crawford’s defense received a total of $2,000 for these efforts; the first $1,000 allocated only two weeks before the trial began. The defense was unable to retain experts to testify on Mr. Crawford’s behalf. The defense unequivocally did not receive enough time or money to adequately prepare.

On appeal, the defense hired a psychologist who researched Mr. Crawford’s medical history. Mr. Crawford, a victim of childhood abuse, had previously sought medical treatment for his mental illness and his family had tried to commit him to the VA hospital. Mr. Crawford was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and severe post-traumatic shock disorder stemming from the horrors he witnessed in Vietnam.

Mr. Crawford’s family testified that he was a broken man upon his return from military service. The defense argues that “his history post-Vietnam is remarkable for intrusive thoughts over death scenes he witnessed, feelings of guilt, dreams, anger, depression, increased alcohol and cannabis use, self-destructive behaviors, inability to sustain employment, three marriages, suicidal ideation, and emotional liability.” He became an alcoholic and suffered frequent black-outs.

Two members of the jury have submitted affidavits testifying the jury initially voted unanimously for life in prison, but the judge would not give an assurance that Mr.Crawford would not be released on parole.

Please contact Gov. Sonny Perdue and urge him to declare a moratorium on executions in light of the mounting evidence that shows indigent defendants are not receiving adequate representation. Please urge him to commute Mr. Crawford’s death sentence to life in prison.

Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

(Updated on July 19, 2004 at 1:30pm)
Stop the Execution of Eddie Albert Crawford!

Eddie Albert Crawford is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Monday, July 19 at 7 PM at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison (death row) in Jackson. The Georgia Supreme Court denied a request to seek DNA testing of key physical evidence and the state Board of Pardons and Paroles denied clemency Friday. An appeal with the US Supreme Court is pending.

Background

The State of Georgia is scheduled to execute Eddie Crawford on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m. The State has refused, for more than ten years, to allow DNA testing which could exonerate Mr. Crawford. It now appears Mr. Crawford will be put to death even though a simple test could decide his innocence. And it is no coincidence that the execution is scheduled for the day before the Republican primary race for District Attorney in Spalding County, a race in which the current District Attorney, William McBroom, is facing stiff competition.

Mr. Crawford was convicted of the killing of his niece in Spalding County in 1983. The niece, a child, was abducted from her bed in the home of her grandfather and the State contended that Mr. Crawford took her from the home, assaulted her, and left her body in nearby woods.

The State did not reveal that police had conducted a search of the grandfather’s home the next day, and confiscated bloody bedclothes from the child’s bed, and a bloodstained baby blanket. It also hid the fact that during this same search, police found stained trousers stuffed into a kitchen garbage can at the residence, trousers which did not belong to Mr. Crawford.

The State hid the fact this evidence existed through two capital trials, and Mr. Crawford’s lawyers only discovered it in state post-conviction proceedings in 1992. At that point, they began asking that testing be performed on these items. If the victim’s blood is on the bedclothes, it shows that she was assaulted at the grandfather’s home and not, as the State contended, somewhere else. If the victim’s blood is on the trousers, it indicates the owner of the trousers is the culprit. If someone else’s DNA is on the items as well, it could show the identity of the guilty party. Additionally, as many as three proven pedophiles had access to the victim that evening, including family members. Mr. Crawford, by contrast, had no history of molesting children.

The State has adamantly opposed testing in this case, and the state and federal courts have denied it. Earlier this month, in a stinging dissent, Chief Justice Norman Fletcher of the Georgia Supreme Court, joined by Justice Benham, wrote that the evidence against Mr. Crawford “was not so strong as to preclude the reasonable possibility that DNA evidence pointing to another perpetrator would have resulted in a different outcome in light of all the evidence.” The two justices agreed that the evidence which was hidden by the state “conflicts with the state’s theory and other evidence at trial showing that the victim was killed in Crawford’s home. If the DNA evidence on these items matches the victim and a person other than Crawford, then the new DNA evidence clearly raises a reasonable possibility that a different result would have occurred at trial.”

The fact that the State originally hid this evidence, and has fought tooth and nail to keep from having it tested, begs the question: What is the State afraid the evidence will show? And what possible harm could come of testing it?

The State of Georgia should stay Mr. Crawford’s execution long enough for testing to be done. If the results are favorable, as Mr. Crawford states, an innocent life will be spared. If the results are not favorable, there is not only no loss to the State, but the satisfaction of knowing the correct person is being punished. The State should not be allowed to rush to execute an innocent person for political expedience.

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

"U.S. high court rejects Georgia inmate's stay," by Mark Niesse. (AP July 19, 2004)

Atlanta, Ga. - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to stop the execution of a death row inmate scheduled to die later in the day for kidnapping, raping and murdering his 2-year-old niece. Defense attorneys have argued DNA testing of two newly discovered hairs could prove he is not the killer. Eddie Albert Crawford, 57, faced execution by injection Monday evening after 20 years on death row for the 1983 killing of Leslie Michelle English in Griffin. Crawford claims he blacked out after drinking and doesn't remember what happened. The nation's highest court did not comment on Monday's decision. Three of the court's more liberal members - Justices John Paul Stevens, David H. Souter and Ruth Bader Ginsburg - supported giving Crawford a stay. His attorneys did not immediately returned calls on whether they planned any other legal steps.

Several defense attorneys are seeking DNA testing of two hairs found on the girl's body and clothing to determine if they belong to Crawford or someone else. The attorneys hoped the courts would find that prisoners have a constitutional right to have such existing evidence tested. The state parole board denied their requests Friday, citing overwhelming evidence against Crawford, including his own comments after he was taken into custody. It was the first use of a new Georgia law that allows convicts to request DNA testing to be exonerated. Crawford was linked to the crime by other hair and carpet fibers found on the girl's body, as well as her blood found in his car.

Crawford's attorneys had filed appeals with the U.S. Supreme Court over the weekend, as Crawford has exhausted all of his legal options within Georgia, said Spaulding County District Attorney Bill McBroom. Crawford was originally set to die last December before the Georgia Supreme Court put his execution on hold pending DNA testing of items taken from the crime scene. But the high court then ruled that even if the items tested positive for someone else's DNA, that wouldn't clear Crawford.

State courts have ruled additional DNA testing inadmissible on four occasions because Crawford still would have been found guilty, McBroom said. DNA testing that McBroom independently ordered in 2003 found that blood on Crawford's shirt was similar to that of a sibling of the girl's mother. "Just because you find some hairs out there, you have to show it's connected to the crime," McBroom said.

Crawford's attorney at his first trial, Tamara Jacobs, said three men convicted or accused of child molestation, including some family members, may have had access to the girl that night. Prosecutors argued at trial he sneaked into the house and kidnapped the girl after her mother - his sister-in-law - refused to have sex with him. "I'm sorry, but he doesn't deserve to breathe the same air I'm breathing," said Angela Ledford, the girl's cousin.

The new hairs will be tested in the coming weeks by the Georgia Innocence Project, even if the execution goes forward, said Aimee Maxwell, the project's executive director.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

"Execution 'worth it' for family, killer says," by Carlos Campos. (07/19/04)

JACKSON — A Spalding County man was executed Monday for the 1983 kidnapping, sexual assault and strangulation of his 2-year-old niece, whom he then dumped in nearby woods. Eddie Albert Crawford, 57, was pronounced dead at 7:49 p.m., 12 minutes after prison officials administered a lethal dose of drugs through his veins.

Crawford was convicted in 1984 for the murder of 29-month-old Leslie Michelle English. In his final words, Crawford said, "There hasn't been a time in the last 21 years I wouldn't have laid down my life for little Leslie. I don't remember anything. But if this will give them peace, it [the lethal injection] was well worth it."

Another of Leslie's uncles, Sammy English, witnessed the execution on behalf of the family. About 25 friends and family of the girl gathered outside the prison, where they cheered and clapped as a van brought out Crawford's body after the execution. "I don't think there will ever be final closure," said Peggy English Ridgeway, a cousin of Leslie's. "I don't think there ever is when you lose a child. But I do think it eases the pain in their hearts." About 15 anti-death penalty demonstrators also gathered outside the prison.

Lawyers for Crawford raised last-minute doubts about his guilt. Former O.J. Simpson lawyer Barry Scheck, co-director of the New York-based Innocence Project, argued unsuccessfully to have several pieces of evidence taken from the crime scene tested for the presence of DNA. But William T. McBroom, the top prosecutor for Spalding County, dismissed the appeals as a "ploy" to spare a guilty man's life. Crawford was connected to the girl's death by hair and carpet fibers found on her body, eyewitness statements and conflicting accounts he gave to police. Authorities say Crawford killed Leslie as revenge against her mother — his sister-in-law — who had spurned Crawford's sexual advance the night before the murder.

The Georgia Supreme Court stopped Crawford's execution just hours before it was to be carried out last December. Crawford's lawyers were hoping a post-conviction DNA testing law passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2003 would allow them to test a baby blanket, sheets, a pair of trousers and other items taken from the crime scene. But in June, the Supreme Court ruled that the Crawford case failed to meet one of the guidelines required by the new law: the possibility that DNA evidence could change the outcome of a guilty verdict. The court ruled that other evidence presented at Crawford's trial was enough to secure a conviction.

McBroom, the prosecutor, said he has no doubts Crawford killed Leslie. McBroom said he had DNA tests done recently that matched a blood stain on a shirt worn by Crawford with DNA taken from Leslie's hair. Scheck said he was seeking new, more sophisticated DNA tests of the hairs that are not available in Georgia crime labs. He said not testing the evidence further was "unconscionable." "I don't know whether Eddie Crawford is guilty or innocent," Scheck said a few hours before the execution. "But I do know for certain there are DNA tests that are not being performed that might demonstrate that proposition [of innocence]."