Shannon Crawley
On
January 4, 2009 the maintenance man, Michael Hedgepeth, at a Durham
North Carolina apartment complex called 911 to report hearing shots
fired. Just after hearing what he thought was a shot he had seen a
woman come from the back of a building and get into a burgundy SUV.
He drove towards that building and stopped the woman who was driving
away to talk to her. Hedgepeth would later describe her as a bit
hysterical saying she too had heard the shot and she was scared of
guns. He asked her where she lived and she pointed out another
building. Hedgepeth asked her to stay there while he called 911.
Hedgepeth would later testify that he saw the woman still in the
parking lot when he was talking to the police but not after he got
off the phone. The police would come to the complex and while it
does not sound as if they looked to awful hard around the area, they
did not find anything and left.
About
an hour and a half after Hedgepeth had called the police a resident
of the complex was leaving when he saw some things scattered on the
stairs of his building. As he went further down the stairs he would
find the body of twenty-five year old Denita Smith at the bottom of
the stairs. He would call 911 himself and then he too would notify
Hedgepeth. Denita had been shot in the back of the head.
There
was apparently a buzz over the fact that the police were at the
complex and Denita's friend tried to reach her but failed. She would
then call Jermeir Stroud, a Greensboro police officer and Denita's
finance. He would tell her that he had also heard of the commotion
at the complex and after several attempts to reach her he too had
failed and was headed to the area.
Before
I get too much further I want to point out that I did a Google search
on the distance between Durham and Greensboro because this will
become very important later. According to Google the trip would take
approximately fifty-four minutes to complete. Of course if you use
Google Maps very often you know that a trip is generally shorter than
it predicts and depends on things like traffic, accidents, and even
stop lights involved.
The
officers at the scene would talk to Hedgepeth. He would describe the
woman he had seen before he had called them earlier. Hedgepeth would
say that it was a young African-American woman, about five foot ten
with a ponytail and driving a burgundy Ford Explorer. Investigators
had no idea if this woman was connected in any way but they wanted to
know. On the day after the murder Stroud would claim that he heard
that investigators were looking for this woman and he felt he needed
to speak out. He would first tell his own supervisors and then tell
the Durham officers in charge of the case that he suspected he knew
who the woman in the burgundy SUV was.... Shannon Crawley.
Shannon
Crawley was a 911 operator for the Greensboro police department. It
is unclear when she and Stroud had begun dating but by his own
admittance he had dated both Shannon and Denita at the same time at
some point. According to Stroud he had ended the relationship
several months prior to the murder after Shannon had obtained an
abortion. For her part it does not seem that Shannon was clear as to
if and/or when she claimed she and Stroud had split up. However,
Stroud knew that Shannon drove a red Ford Explorer and this is what
he reported to the police. Investigators would look into Shannon and
two days after the murders she was officially being called a person
of interest. Three days after that she would be arrested.
The
first time Shannon was interviewed was on January 5th,
right after Stroud had voiced his suspicions. She would tell the
investigators that she did not know Denita. She would claim to have
seen her in a church some two weeks prior and had seen pictures of
her in Stroud's home but that was the extent of her knowledge, at
least she would claim. She would also tell investigators that on the
day of the murder she had taken her child to a doctor appointment and
had been late to work. She would claim that she had never owned or
had a gun.
By
the end of May, apparently after likely discovering what the
prosecutors had on her, changed her story quite a bit. She would
claim that on the day of the murder Stroud had forced her to drive
him to Durham and that when they arrived at the apartment complex he
had left her in the car while he headed to Denita's 2nd
story apartment. She would claim to hear the two arguing and then a
gunshot. She alleged that soon after Stroud came back to the car,
hid the gun and hid himself in her backseat and ordered her to take
off.
While
she was awaiting her trial Shannon would be released on bond. On
June 20, 2008 she would report to the Charlotte police department
that Stroud had raped her in the early morning hours. She would
claim that he had cut her clothes off with a knife and then held the
knife to her throat. She would claim that he had nicked her in
several places over her body, including her vaginal area. A rape kit
was taken but tested negative for semen despite her claims that he
had ejaculated during the rape. The following day Shannon would
suggest to the sexual assault detective on her case that they should
check Stroud's trashcan and look for the knife he had used. On June
23rd Stroud would go to sit his trash out and notice at
the bottom of the empty can was a knife and he decided to call the
police. Two neighbors would later tell authorities what they had
seen. One, who also happened to be a police officer, said that on
June 19th he had heard a “thump” and saw a car drive
away from the area of Stroud's trashcan. Another would state that
she saw someone put something in Stroud's trashcan and leave. The
detective on the case interviewed Stroud, who of course denied
committing the rape. Looking at phone records and as well as other
alibi issues, the detective determined that in order for Stroud to
have committed the crime he would have had to drive 120 miles per
hour, never even stopping for a light to get back to Greensboro.
There was testimony that despite her insistence that her injuries
required stitches, the doctor had disagreed. It was also pointed out
through the medical examination that there had been no injuries to
the vaginal canal. Investigators would conclude that the alleged
sexual assault had never occurred.
Shannon
would go on trial in February of 2010. At her trial Shannon and her
defense would maintain the second story that she told the police,
only with some elaboration to it. She would again claim that Stroud
was the one who had killed Denita and that she had been forced to
drive him there. The jury would be told that Stroud had been abusive
and manipulative throughout their relationship and that she had only
participated because she feared he would harm her children. To be
fair there was an allegation that the Greensboro police department
was unaware that she was claiming that Stroud was involved until the
trial. I found this to be quite unbelievable. Not only had she made
this claim in May of 2007 but evidence was presented that
investigators did look into Stroud's phone records and other things
to disprove Shannon's claims. It seems unlikely, despite the fact
that he was a police officer that his superiors would not have been
informed of things considering it is likely they looked into his work
record and time cards. The defense would also claim that Stroud had
forced her to Durham the day prior to the murder also so they could
“case” the area.
For
the prosecution they had a lot going for the in my opinion. Despite
the fact that Michael Hedgepeth testified that he could not
positively identify Shannon as the woman that he saw on the morning
of the murder they had a lot of other evidence. Shannon's vehicle
had been processed and there was gunshot residue found in the front
driver's seat of the car. They also had a co-worker of Shannon's
named Ronald Simpson. Simpson would testify that in October of 2006
he had sold her a .38 Taurus Special and had showed her how to use
it. He stated she said she needed it for protection. When
confronted with this Shannon would now claim that she had thrown it
away in a dumpster soon after getting it and throwing the ammunition
away in a different dumpster. This was after she had claimed earlier
to police that she did not, nor had she ever owned a gun. The murder
weapon had never been found but according to forensics examiner who
examined the bullet there were only a few guns that could have fired
the fatal bullet and the .38 Taurus was one of them. They were
able to determine that despite being a police officer Stroud did not
own a .38 caliber weapon.
Phone
records showed that on the day before the murder, while Shannon's
phone was pinging in the area of Durham, Stroud's was pinging in
Greensboro. I admit that I am sometimes iffy when it comes to phone
records, but only when the distances between the two areas that are
being looked at are close in proximity. That was not the case here
has the two areas were nearly an hours drive from each other. In
addition, to the phone records that determined where Shannon and
Stroud were on the day of the murder. They were also able to
determine where they were on the day of the alleged rape in 2008 when
the distances were nearly an hour and a half away from each other.
One
of the biggest things that Shannon had against her was all of her
lies. There was the alleged lie (if we believe she's the woman
Hedgepeth saw) that she lived in the apartment complex; the lie of
the rape; the lie of saying Stroud was with her; and, the biggest lie
of all that would come out in the courtroom. While she had been out
on bond Shannon had taped a phone call that she alleged was between
Stroud and herself. Oddly enough the defense argued against having
it presented to the jury so that alone should tell you that they
believed as the prosecution did, that the call was a set up and was
fake. The person on the other end of the phone, who was allegedly
supposed to be Stroud, had all but confirmed Shannon's story that it
was Stroud who had killed Denita and had been involved. The problem
here was that not only was Shannon unreasonably calm having the
conversation but the persona who was allegedly Stroud sounded, as the
prosecution said, “like Michael Jackson.” The voice was very low
toned and yet high pitched. It sounded nothing like Stroud. It is
unclear if the prosecution could ever determine who it was on the
other end but apparently all agreed it was not Stroud. The
prosecution was quick to point out all the lies Shannon had told and
of all the time she had tried to implicate Stroud, not just in the
murder of Denita but also in the alleged rape. The defense would
also argue to not allow testimony about the fact that Shannon had
obtained an abortion several months before the murder. The judge
allowed it and the prosecution brought that testimony in through
Stroud who would testify that it was soon after that he had ended his
relationship with Shannon.
The
jury would deliberate about seven hours over the course of two days.
Just before their verdict was read the defense asked for a mistrial.
In the trial the tapes of the supposed conversation between Stroud
and Shannon, the one where he supposedly confessed, had been entered
in it's entirety but the prosecution had played only a portion of it.
During deliberations the jury asked to hear the tape and by doing so
they actually heard more than what was presented at the trial. This
was the argument that the defense had in asking for a mistrial. The
judge denied it stating that since the evidence had been entered as a
whole the fact that it was not played completely was inconsequential.
The jury would find Shannon Crawley guilty of first degree murder on
February 22, 2010. She was sentenced to life without the possibility
of parole. At her sentencing the judge would proclaim that Stroud
“caused a perfect storm to happen and walked away from it.”
Upon
leaving the courtroom Shannon's family would vow that Stroud was the
one responsible and that they would spend their “dying breath” to
prove it. Considering all of the evidence that I found in this case
I doubt that they can or will ever be successful.
When
a police officer is someone who is directly or indirectly involved in
a crime one has to almost view the investigation with suspicion.
There is the “blue code” often in which officers protect each
other. However, one of the differences in this case was that the
investigating department was not the department in which Stroud
worked for so these were not his co-workers who were conducting the
investigation. They are less likely to cover for an officer that is
not in their department. Secondly, at least according to the
prosecution and their witnesses, all of the evidence in fact did
point to Shannon and away from Stroud. Even if we take out the phone
records that showed where Shannon and Stroud were at specific times
you cannot discount the other evidence. If we were to take Shannon
Crawley's word as to what occurred on the day of the murder we are
still left with how gunshot residue ended up in the front drivers
seat of her vehicle. Even by her own account Stroud had not driven
the car after the murder and it was she who drove away. To add to
this Michael Hedgepeth who admittedly could not positively identify
Shannon at her trial as being the woman that he saw he never claimed
to have seen a man in the area just after he heard a shot fired. To
be fair Hedgepeth would be forced to admit that the woman he saw come
from the building and the woman he spoke to in the burgundy SUV was
for sure the same woman as he saw the first woman from a big distance
away and did not see her get into a vehicle. Without a map of the
apartment complex it is difficult to know for sure how much he could
have seen. However, Hedgepeth did not have “a dog” in this fight
and gained nothing. He would clearly call the police just after
hearing the shot fired and after Denita Smith was found he reported
the woman in the burgundy vehicle to the authorities. Add to this
despite her initial lies it was determined that Shannon had had
access to a gun in which could have been used in the murder. Her
explanation as to what happened to that gun seemed rather thin, at
best.
To
look at all of the evidence it would appear that Shannon lied about
nearly everything, which of course did not help her. Maybe there
were some fragments of truth to some of the things she said but the
lies out weighed the truth so much that even those truths were likely
looked at skeptically. Stroud admitted on the stand that he had
dated both women at the same time and while that does not necessarily
make him an upstanding individual, let alone finance, it does not
make him a murderer. If we believe Stroud he had ended the
relationship several months (or maybe even up to a year) prior to the
murder with Shannon. It seems clear that Shannon knew about Denita,
whether it was by seeing pictures of her, or Stroud's own admittance,
it is unclear. However, I was unable to determine if Denita had
learned of Shannon. Relationships can move past infidelity. It is
possible that Stroud had told Denita and they moved past it without
telling anyone that was close to them. But, we do not know. What we
do know is that regardless of what Stroud did or did not do Shannon
Crawley took matters into her own hands.
Jan 4 2007, not 2009
ReplyDeleteShannon stalked Jermier after the breakup, going so far as to join his church. It was there that she saw him with Denita (who was wearing her engagement ring).
ReplyDeleteShe was just craxy in love or just plain dumb.
DeleteThe cheating, engaged upstanding police officer boyfriend was no better. This is what cheating does. I remember seeing this 'doc' and his fiance had no idea he was a cheat. They were planning their wedding for Christ's sake. She died because of his infidelities. He's a pig (no pun intended). He went on with his life and married someone else almost immediately!
Sad, sad, sad.
A part of me wants to believe Shannon's story. She presents well and I don't trust the ex boyfriend, but her lies from the beginning are troublesome. She lied about her children's Dr.'s appointment, she lied about the gun, she lied about being in the wrong place at the wrong time...... Even if she feared for her life that wasn't a reason to lie, so with all the lies is perfectly probable that she committed murder, but I still want to believe her.
ReplyDeleteSmart! Are you ultimately saying that Shannon's heart feels truthful?
DeleteI do not believe anything that Shannon has said. I believe that he loved Danita dearly and got himself caught up in a bad situation by cheating on her. I feel that he loved and still loves her. Shannon has lied so much that I believe she now believes her own lies.
ReplyDeleteHe will most likely always love her....sad situation...
DeleteThis woman cared more about this man then she cared about her kids and family. She will miss out on BEING there with her kids growing up. What a waste of her life
ReplyDeleteThis is the reason I would never want to be on a jury. Afraid of making the wrong decision. If I had to make a decision in this case, I would have found her guilty. The alleged phone calls, the alleged rape. This is a woman trying anything to stay out of prison, and I can understand that. Once again, what if I'm wrong?
ReplyDeleteCrawley was convicted and she should have been. What amazes me is that people really believe that they can commit murders and just because there aren’t eye witnesses they can bull crap their way out of conviction. She cared more about being seen as a upstanding person for her parents and kids. She never wanted them to know for sure that she could do this disgusting crime. That’s why she wouldn’t admit to it or take a plea agreement. She is a convicted murderer never the less.
ReplyDeleteShannon is the reason why man gets looked at the wrong way she could not take the we are done
ReplyDeleteI cant be the only one that feels like there is a lot we don't know in this case.
ReplyDeleteI wish Shannon could take a polygraph test. I know they don't hold up in court but at least we would know the truth. And if she's really innocent then she has absolutely no reason to deny a polygraph test.
Like I said on another blog, LETS GET A POLYGRAPH TEST
I agree. My soul has no peace knowing that this poor young lady is INNOCENTLY locked up. I believe he set her up. She said that when they first started dating, he called her millions of times, like a stalker. Obsessed. Jail time allowed him the luxury of keeping her away from other men. If I can't have you nobody can. Go figure.
DeleteSeriously humans.... follow your gut! I, as you, need more evidence. We can discuss for ions the things that men do. Even police.
DeleteWhen they don't get their way, somebody is going down! Now give him a badge, friend on the force who provided a weapon, his 1st instinct is to tattle. Didn't really seem broken up to me on his interview, never looked up at the camera in the interview room either, I find that suspicious.
1. How long did she live there?
2. Witnesses to the argument (their rap sheets and coercion by Stroud)
3. How do the cops miss all the shit on the steps
4. Does the voice on the recorder POSSIBLY MATCH the voice of the 911 caller
5. Phone records ... throwaway phone of course, because he had been cheating
6. They were apart for a year, stalkers are BAD, and they don't give up
7. He had plenty of time to lament, threaten, instill fear.... and set her up
8. It's so obvious
9. His fiance found out, he didn't want his beautiful reputation tarnished, and then becomes the martyr.... SHAKESPERIAN
10. Somebody needs to get this girl out
11. How about his record as an officer
12. How about previous relationships he's had
13. How about video somewhere along the highway to and fro
14. To be continued
Shannon is GUILTILY!! I cannot believe that her family believe all these lies that she is telling. She is where she belongs:IN JAIL!!! She took the life of a beautiful soul.
DeleteRest In Peace Danita!!!
I said the same thing
DeleteI have watch all the media parephenelia on this case and their is absolutely something wrong. For starters, "How did Shannon know exactly where Denita lived? If they didn't know about one another, how did she drive to the exact location, wait at the steps on the exact building and commit murder? Mr. Shroud had a role in this crime period. As to what level..... I don't know. I look at his interview in the interrogation room and they look shady to me. I notice that very small segments of his interrogation and courtroom conversation were played. Was that by design to protect a cop gone bad? I think this case needs to be looked at further. As far as Shannon taking the plea bargain... did the plea bargain come with admitting to the Denita's family that the she committed the crime? This case a has a lot of holes and questions.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, I have been thinking about it every since the first time I seen it
DeleteAny idea if Michael hedgepeth was related to murder victim faith hedgepeth? It seems like such an unusual name to not possibly be
ReplyDelete