After four days of harrowing testimony, a Crawford County jury has convicted Shawn Cranston of first-degree murder and related charges in the brutal killing of a pregnant woman in her Sparta Township home last year.
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the conviction, stating Cranston will now spend the rest of his life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 28.
The conviction follows an investigation and trial that presented compelling evidence of Cranston’s guilt. Prosecutors from the Office of Attorney General detailed how Cranston targeted the home of Rebekah Byler, 23, for a burglary.
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Upon encountering Ms. Byler home alone, he brutally attacked her, slicing her throat and shooting her, resulting in her death and the death of her unborn child.
“It is hard to fathom conduct more heinous than brutally killing a young expectant mother and her unborn child in her home,” Attorney General Sunday remarked. “Our homes are supposed to be our safe haven — this defendant violated the sanctity of home to commit these truly evil acts.”
Key pieces of evidence presented during the trial included a piece of a glove containing Cranston’s DNA found at the scene, shoe prints and vehicle tire treads that matched Cranston’s personal belongings, and GPS data from Cranston’s vehicle that placed him at the victim’s home.
An autopsy confirmed Ms. Byler died from sharp force injuries and a gunshot wound to the head.
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Attorney General Sunday lauded the efforts of his team and the Pennsylvania State Police for their dedication to the case. “I commend our team and the Pennsylvania State Police for dealing with this truly horrific case and focusing on the facts, which clearly pointed to Shawn Cranston’s guilt,” he stated.
Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Deputy Attorney General Kevin Scheibel led the prosecution team. The conviction brings a measure of justice for the horrific crime that shocked the community.
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