Amish Mother Murder Case: Jury Selection Happening as Trial (Finally) Proceeds
After three prior postponements, it looks like the trial of Shawn C. Cranston is happening. Cranston faces trial for the murder of Amish woman Rebekah Byler and her unborn child, soon set to proceed in Crawford County, Pennsylvania.
Jury selection is happening today (June 9), according to the Erie Times-News:
In jail without bond since his March 2, 2024, arraignment, Cranston, 53, returned to a Crawford County courtroom June 9 for jury selection in advance of his trial on charges of criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary and criminal trespass.
It’s anticipated to be a “lengthy” trial:
Cranston’s trial before Crawford County Judge Francis Schultz is expected to be a lengthy one, based on Cranston’s five-hour preliminary hearing in mid-March 2024 in which prosecutors presented 15 witnesses and nearly 40 exhibits.
Each side has new lawyers – the prosecution has been taken over by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General due to staff shortages at the county level, and Cranston has hired a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney in lieu of a public defender.
Rebekah Byler, 23, was found slain at her northwest Pennsylvania home in February 2024. She was expecting a child, and two small children were home with her at the time.
After a five-day investigation, Cranston was arrested and charged with “Criminal Homicide, Criminal Homicide of Unborn Child, Burglary, and Criminal trespass.”
Witnesses & Motive?
In the forthcoming trial it’s also expected that the state will present two witnesses who appeared in March, nearly at the last minute – just prior to the planned beginning of jury selection.
The witnesses have reportedly told investigators that Cranston had a “meth issue” and was breaking into local properties to steal valuables.
As to why Cranston might have targeted the Bylers’ residence, we also learned from one of the two witnesses a strange piece of information: that his “girl” informed him that there was money in the home – allegedly how he ended up encountering a pregnant Rebekah Byler at home alone with her two young children.
As to the motive, also of note was this from Rebekah’s husband Andy, revealed in last year’s preliminary hearing:
The closest thing to a possible motive was revealed at the March 2024 preliminary hearing by Andy Byler. He testified that, weeks before the killing, he and his wife were awakened by a pounding at their door, and when he went to investigate he encountered a man who said he wanted to buy the Byler home and would return the next day, but never did.
When asked at the preliminary hearing if he recognized that person in the courtroom, Byler said he wasn’t 100% sure but pointed at Cranston.
I assume Andy Byler will testify at some point in the trial, and if that is in fact the case, I just feel sorry that he will have to relive in some sense that horrible day.
