Mississippi Executes Charles Crawford for 1993 Rape and Murder
Charles Crawford was executed by lethal injection in Mississippi for the 1993 rape and murder of college student Kristy Ray, after spending over 30 years on death row.
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Overview
- Charles Crawford, aged 59 or 64, was executed by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman for crimes committed in 1993.
- Crawford was convicted of abducting, raping, and killing college student Kristy Ray in Mississippi, a crime that led to his capital murder conviction.
- He faced two separate trials where he was found guilty of the rape and murder, with a prior rape conviction serving as an aggravating factor.
- After more than 30 years on death row, Crawford's appeals were dismissed by the Mississippi Supreme Court in September due to being filed too late.
- Before his execution, Charles Crawford expressed a sense of disappointment and resolution regarding his fate for the 1993 crimes.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting a factual account of the execution without overt editorial framing. They balance details of the crime and conviction with information on the legal appeals and the perpetrator's final statements. The reporting avoids loaded language and provides broader context on national execution trends, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"Crawford had spent more than 30 years on death row."
CBS NewsArticles (3)
FAQ
Kristy Ray was a college student in Mississippi who was abducted, raped, and murdered in 1993 by Charles Crawford.
Charles Crawford spent over 30 years on death row; his appeals were dismissed by the Mississippi Supreme Court in September 2025 because they were filed too late.
Charles Crawford was executed by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman.
The Mississippi Supreme Court set the execution date for October 15, 2025; the application period for appeals and notifications to media occurred between late September and early October 2025, and final appeals were dismissed shortly before the execution.
Charles Crawford expressed a sense of disappointment and resolution regarding his fate before his execution.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.