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It was simply after 11 p.m. on Might 2, 2017, when then-37-year-old Jason Crawford referred to as 911 from proper exterior his house in Cullman, Alabama, about 50 miles north of Birmingham.
911 DISPATCHER: 911, the place is your emergency?
JASON CRAWFORD: Uh, my spouse is shot. I would like somebody out right here, please
911 DISPATCHER: Sir, is she respiration?
JASON CRAWFORD: I do not know … I am making an attempt to choose her— elevate her up so I can see.
Jason remembers that night time vividly.
Jason Crawford: It felt prefer it was taking longer and longer for anyone to get there … And finally, I noticed some headlights.
Physique digicam footage exhibits what Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies discovered once they first obtained to the scene.
DEPUTY: EMS is on their means, OK?
Jason’s spouse, 32-year-old Tiffiney Crawford, was slumped over within the driver’s seat of her personal van. There was a pink revolver in her left hand, which Jason says she stored within the driver’s aspect door of her car for cover. When one of many sheriff’s deputies tried to verify Tiffiney for a pulse, the gun fell out of her hand.
DEPUTY: What occurred tonight?
JASON CRAWFORD: Uh, I—We had been arguing. … I gave her—her stuff, so she will be able to go. I did not let her in the home. … And the very last thing I bear in mind, she mentioned she beloved me, and I used to be getting into the home, and I heard a shot, a scream after which one other shot.
Tiffiney had been shot twice within the head. Paramedics tried to revive her —
Jason Crawford: And I used to be considering that perhaps there’s an opportunity she’s nonetheless alive.
—nevertheless it was too late.
Jason Crawford: And so they come over and instructed me that she was lifeless … It simply made me really feel sick in my abdomen.
To at the least one of many deputies on the scene that night time, it appeared fairly clear that this was a suicide.
DEPUTY: There’s nothing right here to date that claims something to me aside from a suicide.
And it wasn’t lengthy earlier than deputies realized who Jason Crawford was — the son of Ronda Crawford, who works as an workplace supervisor on the sheriff’s workplace.
DEPUTY: You recognize it is Ronda’s daughter-in-law.
Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry quickly obtained phrase.
Sheriff Matt Gentry: The chief deputy referred to as me … and mentioned, ‘Hey … it seems that … Ronda’s daughter-in-law … had shot herself.” … I mentioned, “I am going to go on the market and verify on them.”
By the point the sheriff obtained there, Ronda Crawford was already on scene. It was Ronda – Jason’s mom – who referred to as Tiffiney’s mother, Cheryl McGucken to inform her what occurred.
Cheryl McGucken: I felt like I used to be form of frozen in time in that second. … And I mentioned, “Is Jason there? Can I speak to him?” And he was already talking with the police.
Cheryl McGucken: And so, um, I obtained off the cellphone and … I attempted to determine what my subsequent step was (cries).
Cheryl’s ideas quickly turned to Tiffiney and Jason’s youngsters. They shared a 5-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. Tiffiney was additionally stepmom to Jason’s then-14-year-old son, Logan. All the youngsters had been inside the home that night time; the 2 youngest had been asleep. For Cheryl, life actually hasn’t been the identical since then.
David Begnaud | “48 Hours” contributor: What are the issues that you just miss about her?
Cheryl McGucken: You recognize, the issues I miss about her is her spontaneity. … Tiffiney was a person that had an enormous coronary heart, and he or she simply wished to engulf everybody round her and assist them discover pleasure.
That’s the reason Cheryl says Tiffiney devoted a lot of her spare time to a assist group that she had began on Fb referred to as “Moms Serving to Moms.”Â
TIFFINEY CRAWFORD VIDEO: We’re there to chuckle with one another, to like one another, and to only construct you up in on a regular basis motherhood.
Cheryl McGucken: She noticed a imaginative and prescient that there have been … different moms … that wanted anyone to speak to … And that group took off like a wildfire and unfold everywhere in the nation.
Tiffiney and Jason had been married a bit greater than six years when she died.
David Begnaud: What did you consider Tiffiney if you first met her?
Jason Crawford: I assumed she was hanging and exquisite. She was outgoing. Plenty of issues I wasn’t, you realize? So, it was extra of, like, I assume opposites appeal to form of factor.
After they began relationship, Jason had been divorced for a number of years. His first spouse, he says, had cheated on him. Tiffiney was in a relationship on the time — married, actually. It wasn’t precisely a fairytale starting from the skin trying in, however Jason says, for the 2 of them, it was.
Jason Crawford: It was like fireworks from — to start with.
Tiffiney finally obtained divorced, and that’s when she and Jason married and began their household. Simply what led as much as her demise on that night time in Might 2017 can be as much as the investigators to search out out. Sheriff Gentry remembers a dialog he had on the scene with the coroner.
Sheriff Matt Gentry: He says, it seems to be a suicide. He mentioned the one bizarre factor is there’s two pictures.
David Begnaud: What do you recall about what you thought in that second?
Sheriff Matt Gentry: Properly, that is bizarre. It is unusual. … Now, has that occurred earlier than? Sure. However it’s not regular.
One of many pictures was to her left jaw space, the opposite was to her left temple.
Sheriff Matt Gentry: I mentioned due to his mom’s connection to our workplace, for transparency, there must be an post-mortem finished.
Sheriff Gentry says his investigators went on to course of the scene that night time.
Sheriff Matt Gentry: We examine each suicide like a murder … So, the van was searched. Proof that was wanted to be was seized.
However the subsequent morning, Sheriff Gentry determined to show the case over to the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation.
Sheriff Matt Gentry: I might have instructed our guys to work it. … However due to the potential for battle … I would like full transparency.
Joe Parrish is the state agent who obtained the case.
David Begnaud: What’s the very first thing you do?
Joe Parrish: I went to the District Lawyer’s Workplace … And requested him concerning the van.
Parrish wished to get his palms on that van through which Tiffiney was shot so he obtained a search warrant for it, however there was only one downside: the van had been launched to the Crawford household, and by the point Parrish obtained to it — lower than 24 hours after Tiffiney died — it had already been cleaned by Jason’s relations. The sheriff’s workplace had given them the go forward.
Jason Crawford: I did not need the youngsters to see something. I used to be fearful about them once they awakened within the morning.
David Begnaud: What did you make of that, that the van had been cleaned?
Joe Parrish: It was odd that they’d clear it up that fast after one thing like that.
However Sheriff Gentry defends his resolution to launch the van.
Sheriff Matt Gentry: There was nothing of evidentiary worth to the van. … They processed it, took, uh, footage. They did the whole lot they usually would do on a criminal offense scene, uh, that night time.
David Begnaud: Proper. However for those who’re treating it like a murder, I am not turning the van over to the household.
Sheriff Matt Gentry: Certain. So — so and I — I imply, I utterly perceive. So, it was handled — we labored it like a murder, nevertheless it was handled like a suicide. … Each little bit of proof that was wanted was taken.
However because it seems, that van can be important. And so would what Jason and Tiffiney had been arguing about proper earlier than she died.
THE AFFAIR
Jason Crawford says that within the months main as much as his spouse Tiffiney’s demise, he observed a change in her.
Jason Crawford: Yeah— I might inform one thing was occurring as a result of she was getting extra distant…
Jason Crawford: She had been ingesting so much … too … two or three bottles per week generally.
David Begnaud: So, you had a sense one thing was up?
Jason Crawford: Sure.
And he says his suspicions had been confirmed the night time Tiffiney died. Simply hours earlier than she obtained house, Jason discovered messages on their laptop suggesting that she was having an affair.
Jason Crawford: I began calling her, you realize, simply making an attempt to see if she would inform me something. And… She’s like … I do not know what you are speaking about, denying it. And I used to be like, “OK, effectively, I feel it’s essential to get house.”
Tiffiney’s mother, Cheryl, says she knew concerning the affair.
Cheryl McGucken: She referred to as to let me know she was on her means house. And that, um, Jason and her had been going to must have a dialogue about their issues …
David Begnaud: Did she sound fearful?
Cheryl McGucken: She didn’t sound fearful. She sounded form of hyper and, you realize, anxious. … I simply mentioned, “Properly, I like you. Watch out.”
Tiffiney’s good friend, Lyndsy Luke, says she additionally knew concerning the affair. Lyndsy says Tiffiney instructed her she was planning to depart Jason, and that she obtained a job at a neighborhood grocery retailer to avoid wasting up cash for a brand new life on her personal.
Lyndsy Luke: She knew what she wanted to depart him and the way she was so shut.
David Begnaud: Was Tiffiney afraid that Jason was going to search out out concerning the affair?
Lyndsy Luke: Sure. And he or she did not need him to as a result of she did not need to damage him.
However that night time, when he did discover out, Jason says he was damage and indignant. This was the second time a spouse had cheated on him. When Tiffiney obtained house, he says that is when he confronted her, and refused to let her go inside.
Jason Crawford: I stored telling her she’s not staying the night time. … She requested me, “why cannot I keep?” I used to be like … “you’ve got destroyed the sanctity of our marriage.”
David Begnaud: You had been actually indignant.
Jason Crawford: Uh, yeah, I used to be indignant, however I used to be managed anger.
Jason claims they argued for greater than an hour, and when he remained insistent that Tiffiney was not going inside, he says she requested him to go and get her work garments.
Jason Crawford: I went in and grabbed some garments and threw them to her. After which … I instructed her I am finished speaking. Um, so, I went in the home. And as quickly as I went in the home … I heard a shot, her scream, after which one other shot.
David Begnaud: And then you definately did what?
Jason Crawford: Went proper again exterior.
David Begnaud: And what place was the door in — the automotive door?
Jason Crawford: The automotive door. It was pulled to or closed.
Jason says that is when he referred to as 911. However in that decision and the police physique digicam footage from that night time, Jason by no means talked about an affair.
JASON CRAWFORD (sprint cam video): Last item I bear in mind, she mentioned she beloved me …
Lead investigator Joe Parrish says authorities did not be taught concerning the affair till the following day. Additionally, when Parrish listened again to that 911 name, there was extra that caught his ear.
Joe Parrish: It was very chilly … It did not sound like anyone that was fearful about his spouse.
911 DISPATCHER: I am gonna want some extra data from you …
And there was one query that the 911 dispatcher stored asking Jason that he would not reply.
911 DISPATCHER: Who shot her within the head?
Joe Parrish: Who shot your spouse? … He was avoiding the query.
David Begnaud: I want to play the 911 name for you.
Jason Crawford: OK.
911 DISPATCHER: 911, EMS and Fireplace, the place is your emergency?
JASON CRAWFORD: Uh, my spouse is shot.
David Begnaud: You appear cool as a cucumber.
Jason Crawford: Properly, perhaps that is simply the way in which my tone of voice is.
911 DISPATCHER: She’s been shot? Who’s she been shot by?
JASON CRAWFORD: Please ship an ambulance now, please.
David Begnaud: She requested you who’s she been shot by. And also you did not reply. Why not?
Jason Crawford: Yeah. I simply felt like if I mentioned it into existence, it might be true.
JASON CRAWFORD: She’s been shot within the head.
911 DISPATCHER: Did she shoot herself within the head?
David Begnaud: This woman gave you a chance to say sure.
Jason Crawford: Yeah.
David Begnaud: And also you did not reply?
Jason Crawford: Properly, I do not know what number of extra occasions I can let you know. … I simply froze in thought.
David Begnaud: Do you perceive how anyone listens to that and says, yeah, ‘trigger he did it?
Jason Crawford: Yeah. I can perceive that.
And that is precisely what Joe Parrish thought. Per week after Tiffiney died, and along with her post-mortem outcomes nonetheless pending, Parrish determined to deliver Jason in for questioning.
Throughout that interview, Jason spoke intimately about discovering the affair and the argument that he had with Tiffiney:
JASON CRAWFORD: I mentioned, “You’ve got ruined our house.” I used to be like, “You are now not part of this …”
And he additionally answered a query that Parrish believed was key:
AGENT JOE PARRISH: Was she left or right-handed?
JASON CRAWFORD: She’s right-handed.
AGENT JOE PARRISH: Proper-handed.
JASON CRAWFORD: Yeah.
Tiffiney was right-handed, however the gun had been present in her left hand.
David Begnaud: How typically, in your expertise, do suicides occur the place the person makes use of their non-dominant hand?
Joe Parrish: I’ve by no means seen it personally.
Jason Crawford: It is not like I do know she’s like so predominantly right-handed that she could not use her left hand.
However why would Tiffiney, a lady who devoted a lot time to serving to others, instantly kill herself?
Lyndsy Luke: There was nothing suicidal about her.
Even Jason finds it laborious to clarify.
David Begnaud: Had she ever spoke about desirous to kill herself?
Jason Crawford: Not that I do know. To not me.
After Parrish interviewed Jason, he was free to go. However a couple of week later, he was introduced again in for questioning —- this time by Parrish’s colleague. Jason agreed to take a polygraph, and investigators instructed him he failed.
POLYGRAPH EXAMINER: Your reactions had been off the chain. OK? … You are saying that there is not any means that you just shot your spouse?
JASON CRAWFORD: Appropriate.
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than issues turned contentious.
INVESTIGATOR: I do not need to hear that — that, “I did not shoot my spouse …” … As a result of I do know that is a f****** lie.
JASON CRAWFORD: I can rise up and depart as a result of I am not below arrest, proper?
INVESTIGATOR: Huh! You hearken to me, huh! … (Jason walks out the door) Stroll out that f****** door.
That interview additionally ended with no arrest. Due to a backlog, it could take almost a 12 months to get the lacking piece of the puzzle: these post-mortem outcomes. You see, the style of demise was dominated a murder, and that’s when the choice was made to current the case to a grand jury. Jeff Roberts was the Cullman County Assistant District Lawyer on the time.
Jeff Roberts: I’ve little question in my thoughts he is responsible in any respect. … I feel the forensics tipped the case.
However would a grand jury indict Jason? Even Tiffiney’s mom had her doubts.
Cheryl McGucken: Regardless that I did not need to consider it was a suicide, naturally, I would not need to consider my son-in-law killed her both.
TIFFINEY’S DEATH RULED A HOMICIDE
Cheryl McGucken: It is a unhappy state of affairs, whether or not on one aspect you consider anyone dedicated suicide or anyone dedicated homicide. … Neither a type of eventualities work in my thoughts.
Within the 12 months following her daughter Tiffiney’s demise, Cheryl McGucken says she had a tough time believing that her daughter might have killed herself — however she additionally could not think about that her son-in-law, Jason, would’ve pulled the set off.
David Begnaud: Did you ever name the investigators and say, I need to know each little bit of particulars you could have? I need to know all the small print.
Cheryl McGucken: No.
David Begnaud: Why not?
Cheryl McGucken: I suppose I did not need to, um, let that cloud, my time with my grandkids and my relationship with Jason and his household —
Jason Crawford: My household and associates … they by no means questioned that I would not kill my spouse.
Jason did have loads of assist, however not from the investigators or then-Cullman County Assistant District Lawyer Jeff Roberts and his authorized assistant Debra Ball.
Debra Ball: She was too on the market to assist different folks. … She’s not gonna kill herself.
Jeff Roberts: There isn’t any means that that is what occurred.
As soon as Roberts had acquired phrase that the health worker had dominated Tiffiney’s demise a murder, he determined, together with lead investigator Joe Parrish, to hunt an indictment towards Jason.
Jeff Roberts: I could not work out who else did it. He is the one one who had a motive to do it, for one factor.
Agent Joe Parrish: The grand jury got here again with an indictment for homicide for Jason Crawford.
Cheryl McGucken: Jason referred to as me and instructed me. … It was very stunning. And really complicated.
On Might 21, 2018, simply over a 12 months after Tiffiney died, Jason surrendered.
Joe Parrish: Walked in, I instructed him he was below arrest. He did not appear to be fearful.Â
David Begnaud: He did not appear to be fearful?
Joe Parrish: No.
Jason wasn’t in custody for very lengthy. Actually, he was launched on bond and Robert Tuten and Nickolas Heatherly grew to become his protection attorneys.
Robert Tuten: We do not consider Jason is responsible of this in any respect. … There isn’t any proof … They didn’t see blood or something on him. They discovered nothing that may point out he had, had fired a, a firearm not too long ago.
However the night time of the capturing Jason was by no means examined for gunshot residue, and his home was by no means looked for bloody clothes. Nonetheless, Tuten and Heatherly say they consider Jason, who says he was inside the home when the gunshots rang out.
Robert Tuten: His oldest son … heard his father come again in the home proper earlier than the primary gunshot.
And about that polygraph check that Jason was mentioned to have failed?
Robert Tuten: Police investigators use these as an investigative device. In the event that they assume anyone is responsible, they inform them that they’ve failed the polygraph and demand they inform / what actually occurred.
David Begnaud: They gave you a lie detector check and also you failed it.
Jason Crawford: Hmm, yeah. … They will make these learn how they need to.
Jason’s protection workforce additionally downplayed that 911 name — the one through which Investigator Parrish observed Jason sounded calm, even evasive.
Robert Tuten: If somebody’s by no means been in a high-pressure state of affairs like that the place they’ve simply been shocked by what they’re seeing, they in all probability wouldn’t perceive how that impacts anyone.
Jason Crawford: It simply felt like I used to be exterior my physique not figuring out what was occurring.
However the prosecution was assured that Jason was responsible. Dr. Valerie Inexperienced was assured, too. She is the health worker who performed Tiffiney’s post-mortem.
David Begnaud: Do you bear in mind saying … to your self … “I obtained a sense there’s extra to this story”?
Dr. Valerie Inexperienced: Oh, sure, undoubtedly. … I feel the factor that made me assume that there might be one thing else occurring with this case is … that gunshot wound on the left aspect of Ms. Crawford’s head.
Dr. Inexperienced says that primarily based on the absence of gunpowder particles and abrasion across the wound to Tiffiney’s left temple, she concluded that the shot needed to have been fired from at the least 10 inches away.
Dr. Valerie Inexperienced: That is indicating that, you realize, she’s holding her arm outward past 10 inches and making an attempt to shoot herself. … not saying … that it is inconceivable. However it’s unlikely.
It’s particularly unlikely, says Dr. Inexperienced, as a result of Jason reported that he discovered Tiffiney within the driver’s seat of her personal van with the gun in her left hand and the automotive door closed.
DEPUTY: The place’s the gun, sir?
JASON CRAWFORD: It is proper right here in her hand.
Dr. Valerie Inexperienced: That was regarding to me as a result of I imply … For you to have the ability to maintain up a gun and shoot your self within the head … it could be troublesome to do, and that is such a small area.
That is not all, says Dr Inexperienced. Neither of Tiffiney’s accidents had been contact wounds.
David Begnaud: She did not have a contact wound right here and he or she did not have a contact wound right here.
Jason Crawford: Appropriate.
David Begnaud: Most suicides contain the barrel, or the tip of the gun being positioned on the pores and skin.
Jason Crawford: Yeah. And also you mentioned most, not all.
However there was one thing else Dr. Inexperienced observed, particularly about that van.
Dr. Valerie Inexperienced: I bear in mind taking a look at footage of the motive force’s aspect door … And I did not see any blood on that door. I did not see any blood on the glass or the window. I did not see something even low on the door. … That makes me assume that the door was not closed. … And I feel that that door is open as a result of he was standing there.
Regardless of the post-mortem report, and the truth that a grand jury had indicted Jason, Tiffiney’s mother continued to assist him.
Cheryl McGucken: I by no means modified how I felt in direction of Jason. I imply, what objective would that serve? You recognize, he is additionally anyone’s little one. And he is the remaining dad or mum to my grandchildren.
Greater than 4 years would go earlier than the case ever went to trial. Throughout that point, the protection would retain their very own health worker—the previous chief health worker for the state of Alabama — and he had a drastically completely different opinion than Dr. Inexperienced.
Dr. James Lauridson: I consider it is a suicide.
THE TRIAL OF JASON CRAWFORD
In November 2022, greater than 5 years after Tiffiney Crawford died, her husband, Jason Crawford, went on trial for her homicide. Prosecutor Jeff Roberts was assured in his case, however he knew there can be challenges.
Jeff Roberts: The truth that … it was thought of by the officers on the scene apparently according to suicide, I assumed that is going to be actually robust to beat.
Jason’s protection attorneys Robert Tuten and Nickolas Heatherly additionally felt that they’d their work minimize out for them.
Robert Tuten: Just because there is not any technique to actually discover a definitive reply for precisely what occurred.Â
“48 Hours” was solely allowed to movie the trial from exterior the courtroom, by way of a windowed door. Tiffiney’s mom, Cheryl, who mentioned she did not need to hear the small print surrounding her daughter’s demise, selected to not attend the trial.
Cheryl McGucken: I knew that there can be issues mentioned on each side that I … did not need to have in my head.
However she did go on day one—solely to testify. She was the prosecutor’s first witness.
Cheryl McGucken: He assumed that I used to be on their aspect
As an alternative, Cheryl says she instructed the jury how she actually felt about Jason.
CHERYL MCGUCKEN: I’ve by no means had any points with Jason.
Megan Brock was a juror on the case.
Megan Brock: She was telling everyone, me and Jason have an awesome relationship. … I used to be, like, “actually?”
David Begnaud: You thought it was bizarre that his mother-in-law—may nonetheless be supporting him—as he is on trial for homicide?
Megan Brock: Mm-hmm. Yup.
Undeterred, the prosecution moved on with what they felt was proof of Jason’s alleged motive: anger over his spouse’s affair. A good friend of Tiffiney’s testified that Jason referred to as her after studying that Tiffiney had been dishonest on him, and that he mentioned, “He could not undergo this once more,” referencing the truth that his first spouse had additionally had an affair. Jason claims he did not say that.
David Begnaud: His first spouse cheated on him. Tiffiney cheated on him. Is not it believable for anyone on the jury to assume, hey, look, the man snapped … so he killed her.
Robert Tuten: I do not assume that occurred in any respect. He did not snap over his first spouse. … They remained associates even to today.
Jason’s 911 name was additionally performed for the jury, and so they noticed a few of that police physique digicam footage, too.
The prosecution additionally referred to as DNA analyst Angela Fletcher, who examined swabs taken from Tiffiney’s gun. She testified she could not say for positive whether or not there was any feminine DNA on the gun as a result of there was solely a hint quantity of DNA detected. However she was sure that each the grip and the set off contained male DNA.
David Begnaud: Is it Jason Crawford?
Angela Fletcher: No. The profile was so restricted that I used to be unable to do any kind of comparisons.
Jason Crawford: There are different those that have touched that gun that had been males. My dad gave her the gun, so his DNA could also be on it. … Her brother additionally shot it.
With so little DNA detected, the prosecution argued that Jason should have wiped the gun after which planted it in Tiffiney’s hand.
Robert Tuten: There isn’t any proof. There isn’t any proof of it in any respect, no.
Jeff Roberts: Her DNA would have needed to be on that gun if she did it herself.
However maybe essentially the most damaging testimony towards Jason got here from Medical Examiner Dr. Valerie Inexperienced. She instructed the jury how she believes the gunshot wound to Tiffiney’s temple was fired from greater than 10 inches away.
Jeff Roberts: Which is far more according to him standing exterior the automotive, capturing her than … her making an attempt to carry a gun, you realize, over 10 inches away.
However the protection confirmed the jury a pre-recorded deposition with their very own health worker, Dr. James Lauridson.
DR. JAMES LAURIDSON: I consider that — that Mrs. Crawford shot herself first within the left aspect of the face after which shot herself within the left aspect of the top.
Dr. Lauridson additionally testified there isn’t a technique to inform how distant the gun was when that shot to Tiffiney’s temple was fired — as a result of her hair was in the way in which.
Dr. Valerie Inexperienced: I do understand that scalp hair can filter out gunpowder particles … however that was considered. … I might count on extra abrasions to have been capable of filter although her hair.
The protection additionally argued that Tiffiney had been struggling emotionally. She had began seeing a counselor simply at some point earlier than she died. And associates of Tiffiney testified that she had been ingesting excessively, and that she was upset as a result of the person with whom she was having an affair had not too long ago damaged up along with her.
Robert Tuten: He instructed her he did not need to have anything to do along with her.
Robert Tuten: Principally, her complete life is falling aside, and I feel she simply gave up.
Tiffiney’s journal was additionally entered into proof. And in an entry dated the day she died, she wrote that she was “…battling determining what to do with herself” and that she was “… making an attempt to keep away from breaking down.”
David Begnaud: Is not it doable that she was having ideas of suicide?
Jeff Roberts: I might say no. … She had began seeing a counselor. That is anyone who was trying ahead in life.
Jason’s son, Logan, additionally took the stand for the protection. He testified that he heard his father inside the home when the gunshots went off that night time. However the prosecution questions his reminiscence.
Jeff Roberts: When he retains listening to the identical story, his tales will begin matching up considerably like all 14-year-olds would.
Nickolas Heatherly: His story by no means modified. He was interviewed by legislation enforcement, and it stayed constant.
Because the trial was drawing to an in depth, the protection made a daring resolution. They referred to as Jason to the stand. He testified that he beloved Tiffiney and denied killing her, however each the prosecution and the protection acknowledge there was some extent the place he misplaced his cool.
Robert Tuten: He argued a bit bit with the prosecutor.
Jeff Roberts: The individual on the stand was the person who you would simply see doing this.
Jason additionally testified that he referred to as Tiffiney a degrading title that night time she died.
David Begnaud: You mentioned to the jury, I used to be making an attempt as greatest I might to make her damage inside as a lot as I used to be hurting.
Jason Crawford: Mm-hmm. Yeah. … I used to be simply mainly speaking right down to her … like she was not human. … I really feel sorry … as a result of I really feel like perhaps that contributed to what pushed her to — over the sting to try this.
Regardless that Jason’s testimony probably did him no favors, there was nonetheless no direct bodily proof pointing in direction of his guilt.
Robert Tuten: There isn’t any proof that Jason fired the gun.
And after 4 days of testimony, the case went to the jury.
Megan Brock: I mentioned, “Oh, God, right here we go. … I do not know if this man did it or not.”
HOW THE JURY REACHED A VERDICT
It was Nov. 18, 2022, and Jason Crawford’s destiny was now within the palms of a jury. Behind closed doorways, Megan Brock says she and a number of other fellow jurors had been on the fence about his guilt.
Megan Brock: And I used to be, like, “So, we’re gonna sit right here for the following, nonetheless lengthy it takes?”
Cheryl McGucken: My abdomen was in knots.
Cheryl McGucken admits she was nervous for Jason and his household.
Cheryl McGucken: You recognize, that is my son-in-law.
After a number of hours deliberating, the jury requested entry to that physique digicam footage. Then they requested for the 911 recording.
JASON CRAWFORD (to 911): …My spouse is shot. I would like somebody out right here, please.
About half-hour later, they introduced they’d reached a call. Cheryl was within the courtroom, just for the second time.
David Begnaud: And who had been you with for the decision?
Cheryl McGucken: I used to be sitting with my husband proper behind Jason’s mother and father and the remainder of his household.
As for the decision, that is how Megan says the jury got here to their resolution.
Megan Brock: After we listened to that 911 name once more, that was it.
David Begnaud: So, the 911 name sealed the deal?
Megan Brock: That was it.
David Begnaud: Actually.
Megan Brock: The … operator, she retains asking him, you realize, “who shot her?” Lastly, she was, like, OK, effectively, the place is the gun at? And he mentioned, laying beside her. … And we had been like, like, wait what?
911 DISPATCHER: The place is the gun at?
JASON CRAWFORD: It is laying beside her.
Megan Brock: He clearly mentioned “the gun is laying beside her” … When actually, the physique cam footages confirmed her holding the gun, barely, however holding the gun.
David Begnaud: The gun wasn’t laying beside her.
Jason Crawford: It was beside her as a result of it is on her aspect, in her hand.
David Begnaud: They discovered the gun in her hand?
Jason Crawford: Sure.
David Begnaud: You perceive the distinction between in her hand and laying beside her?
Jason Crawford: To some folks, sure. Like, beside her, it is beside. Like laying on her — it is beside her. … I simply selected the improper phrases to say.
However the jury didn’t see it that means.
Megan Brock: I mentioned, “Oh f***. He is responsible.” All people mentioned the identical factor. They had been like, “he is responsible.”
David Begnaud: The decision was responsible.
Jason Crawford: Sure. … It simply felt prefer it should not be taking place … it was unbelievable. So, I used to be simply shocked.
Cheryl McGucken: You recognize, I had a good friend that mentioned … “hallelujah.” And that basically bothered me. As a result of that wasn’t something to cheer about. … There isn’t any justice right here. All people loses.
David Begnaud: You’re a grandmother.
Cheryl McGucken: Mm-Hmm.
David Begnaud: And there are two children left behind who had nothing to do with this.
Cheryl McGucken: Proper. Precisely.
David Begnaud: However on the finish of the day, this man was placed on trial.
Cheryl McGucken: Mm-hmm.
David Begnaud: The proof was heard.
Cheryl McGucken: Mm-hmm.
David Begnaud: He was convicted.
Cheryl McGucken: Mm-hmm.
David Begnaud: So, he’s a killer within the eyes of the legislation.
Cheryl McGucken: You recognize, they’ll do an attraction. I do not need to misspeak on this in any respect.
David Begnaud: However if you say they’re doing the attraction, what do you imply? Are you defending him?
Cheryl McGucken: I — I haven’t got any purpose to guard him, um, however I’ll let issues play out as they may.
Following this interview, Begnaud requested Cheryl if she had any curiosity in seeing the proof.
David Begnaud: You mentioned you probably did. You requested if we might present it to you. We offered you with what was within the public document.
Cheryl McGucken: Yeah.
David Begnaud: What do you now consider?
Cheryl McGucken: Properly, I now consider that he did kill her.
Cheryl McGucken: Studying the proof, going by way of what was mentioned in the course of the trial. It — it — it made it painfully apparent.
On March 10, 2023, Cheryl McGucken took the stand once more at Jason’s sentencing listening to. However this time, she spoke for her daughter.
CHERYL MCGUCKEN (studying): I could not perceive how my son-in-law, Jason, might look me within the eye for five-and-a-half years, if he had murdered my daughter.
“48 Hours”‘ cameras had been once more exterior the courtroom trying in, so Cheryl shared with us, what she mentioned on to Jason.
CHERYL MCGUCKEN (studying): Jason, if not you, who? You had been there. You recognize the reality. … I pray you’ll sometime discover knowledge and energy to talk the reality.
She mentioned that in entrance of her grandchildren, too — they had been sitting within the very entrance row. Cheryl did not know that Jason’s mother and father had been going to deliver them.
Because the choose ready to condemn Jason Crawford, his legal professionals had been nonetheless pleading his innocence, simply as Jason did when Begnaud first spoke with him.
David Begnaud: If I might interview Tiffiney at this time, what do you assume she’d inform me?
Jason Crawford: Most likely that she’s sorry. She’s — did not understand that it could have an effect on so many individuals like — prefer it did.
David Begnaud: She would not inform me that you are a liar and a killer?
Jason Crawford: No. I do not assume so.
Jason was sentenced to 99 years in jail. However below Alabama legislation, he might be eligible for parole in 15 years.
David Begnaud: What do you assume Tiffiney would say now, having seen you on the stand?
Cheryl McGucken: I can hear her saying, “I am pleased with you, Mama.”
Now, Cheryl simply desires to guarantee that her grandchildren are pleased with their mom, and always remember who Tiffiney was and what she stood for.
Cheryl McGucken: She was simply an angel that got here down from heaven for a short while to show all of us … find out how to love and be variety and be giving.
Tiffiney’s youngsters presently reside with Jason’s mother and father.
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Produced by Stephanie Slifer and Judy Rybak. Gabriella Demirdjian is the sector producer. Ryan Smith is the event producer. Liz Caholo is the affiliate producer. Jud Johnston, Wini Dini and George Baluzy are the editors. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.
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