Crime To Burn

See below for timestamps!
In today's episode we kick off the case of David Michael Crawford, a retired Maryland Police Chief turned serial arsonist. We will be starting with the first arson in a series he was linked to in court with a fire at the home of a fellow city employee. We're bringing you a deep dive into a case I've been researching for over 6 months and currently this case is pending appeal in Maryland. Join us as we dive into one twisted and shocking serial arson case on Crime to Burn. 
We begin this case with many disclaimers and explanations about evidence, sources, and testimony in this case and they are important. I have provided time stamps below in case you wish to fast forward to the case but the disclaimers will provide you with additional insight into the judicial process and criminal court cases. 
Timestamps:
Disclaimers begin at 2:49
2:49 - 4:08 - A discussion about crimes the defendant has been convicted of and the difference between accused and convicted. 
4:08 - 5:06 - An explanation of some evidence presented in court related to fires other than the ones for which he was standing trial. 
5:06 - 6:44 - A discussion of the defendant's wife and explanation that she is not accused of being involved nor of having knowledge of her husband's crimes. 
6:44 - 8:25 - Discussion of crimes unrelated to the arsons presented in court which members of the defendant's immediate family indicated in press reports they suspect Crawford's involvement. 
8:25 - 10:27 - Explanation of court recordings and bench conversations and differentiating between what can be gleaned from the court recordings verses what was known to the jury. Also includes a discussion of hearsay, probative value of evidence and testimony, and prejudicial testimony. 
10:27 - 11:45 - Discussion of state's burden in criminal cases and constitutional rights of defendants to not testify.
11:45 - 13:17: Discussion of off the record sources used for this podcast and a reminder that all witnesses are off-limits until the conclusion of the appeal.
13:17 - 15:34 - My own personal implicit bias due to my involvement in some of the organizations involved in this case. 
15:34 - 17:05 - Discussion of what court records were obtained and what records were not used and why. 
17:05 - 18:12 - Discussion about defense attorney. UPDATE AFTER RECORDING: Mr. Bonsib did reply to my email and provided the appellate brief but has indicated that given the pending appeal, he does not feel it would be appropriate to discuss the case with me. I understand and respect his decision. 
18:12 - 20:27 - Discussion about narrative storytelling and using emotions to drive the narrative and a reminder that these perspectives used for storytelling are not intended to imply guilt or innocence of the defendant. Also discussion about authentically presenting the emotions and implications of others and not my own. 
20:27 END OF DISCLAIMERS. 
Background Music is by Not Notoriously Coordinated. 
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Sources used:
Application for Statement of Charges against David Michael Crawford of Ellicott City, MD to the District Court of Maryland filed 3/2/2021; D-101-CR-21-000235. https://www.scribd.com/document/497270007/Charging-Docs-David-Michael-Crawford
Court Recordings from Circuit Court for Howard County - Criminal Case C-13-CR-21-000152. State of Maryland vs. David Michael Crawford. Dates of 2/27/2023 through 3/9/2023. 
In the Appellate Court of Maryland, David Michael Crawford (Appellant) v. State of Maryland (Appellee). Appeal from the Circuit Court for Howard County Opening Brief and Appendix of the Appellant. 
Personal communications with persons familiar with David Michael Crawford. (off-the-record interviews)
Mann, Alex. "Former Laurel police chief craved authroity, set fires for revenge, Howard prosecutors say." Baltimore Sun, Mar 1, 2023. 
Mann, Alex. "Ex-Laurel police chief contacted victims after series of arson fires. He's accused of keeping enemies list, starting blazes." Baltimore Sun. (no date provided in copy used)
Mann, Alex. "'Arson Destroys Persons': Former Laurel Police Chief sentenced to life for Howard County fires." Baltimore Sun. June 27, 2023
Faguy, Ana et. al. "Retired Maryland police chief used arson for vendettas, prosecutors say; a stirring dog may have saved one family." Baltimore Sun, Mar 4, 2021. 
Henderson, Evelyn Palattella. "My neighbor and former Police Chief burned down my house twice." Medium. Mar 9, 2021.
Morse, Dan. "Serial arsonist tracked through dog hair, surveilance video and grudges, officials allege." The Washington Post March 4, 2021. 
"Testimony from arson victims, including suspects own family, suggest fires set out of revenge." https://www.wbaltv.com/article/david-crawford-arson-trial-fire-victims-testimony/43162693. Accessed Mar 15, 2024.
Chappell, Bill. "A former Police Chief in MD. Was A 'Serial Arsonist,' Authorities Say." https://www.npr.org/2021/03/04/973696073/a-former-police-chief-in-md-was-a-serial-arsonist-authorities-say. NPR. Mar 4, 2021. Accessed Mar 15, 2021.
Fenton, Justin. "Ex-police chief's daughter details terrorizing act in court filing." The Washington Post. May 9 2021. 
Murchison, Joe. "Arsonist's twisted trail." Streetcar Suburbs News. https://streetcarsuburbs.news/arsonists-twisted-trail/ Accessed Mar 15, 2024.
Former Laurel police chief gets life sentences in arson case. WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyJM2ndLt4U
Former Maryland Police Chief Sentenced to Life In Prison in Arson Cases. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/video/former-maryland-police-chief-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-in-arson-cases-185384517841
"Former Maryland police chief accused fo setting 12 "revenge fires" sentenced to multiple life terms. CBS News. Jun 28, 2023. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-crawford-revenge-fires-ex-maryland-police-chief-sentenced-multiple-life-terms/
David Crawford LinkedIn Page, Ellicott City, Maryland, United States. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-crawford-47537813b
Morse, Dan. "Former Maryland police chief gets life prison terms for arson spree." The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/06/27/david-crawford-arson-life-sentences/
Palmer, Emily. "Ex Maryland Police Chief Set 12 'Revenge fires,' Gets Multiple Life Sentences. People Magazine. Updated Jun 28, 2023. https://people.com/ex-maryland-police-chief-revenge-fires-multiple-life-sentences-7554649
Carballo, Rebecca. "Ex-Police Chief in Maryland Gets Multiple Life Terms in Series of Arsons." The New York times. Jun 27, 2023.
Gilstrap, Samantha. "Former police Chief handed 8 life sentences for series of arsons across Maryland." WUSA9. Updated Jun 27, 2023. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/former-laurel-police-chief-handed-8-life-sentences-for-series-of-arsons-across-maryland/65-f242e76b-c648-4077-91b3-b983a008fcaf
Neammanee, Pocharapon. "Former Police Chief Who Set Series of Fires as Revenge Sentenced to Life in Prison." Huffpost. Jun 28, 2023. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/police-chief-arson-revenge-life-sentence_n_649c6017e4b0cd6f7df15fc7
Lambe, Jerry. "Evil and terrifying: Ex-police chief gets 8 life sentences for setting series of fires targeting rivals and people he believed slighted him." Law & Crime. Jun 28, 2023, https://lawandcrime.com/crime/evil-and-terrifying-ex-police-chief-gets-8-life-sentences-for-setting-series-of-fires-targeting-rivals-and-people-he-believed-slighted-him/
Duffy, Ken. "Former Laurel Police Chief David Crawford gets life sentences in arson cases." WBAL News Radio. Jun 27, 2023. https://www.wbal.com/former-laurel-police-chief-david-crawford-gets-life-sentences-in-arson-cases/
Massie, Graeme. "Ex-Maryland police chief senntenced to life for string of revenge arson attacks." The Independent. Los Angeles. Jun 28, 2023. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/maryland-police-chief-arson-sentencing-b2365958.html
Skene, Lea. "Ex-police chief convicted in 4 arsons targeting his enemies." AP News. 9 Mar 2023. https://apnews.com/article/maryland-police-chief-convicted-arson-31f2c9e5c38891415c18ffc901361e86
VerHeist, Megan. "Ex-MD Police Chief Accused of Arson Kept 'Target list': Reports. Mar 2, 2023. https://patch.com/maryland/ellicottcity/ex-md-police-chief-accused-arson-kept-target-list-reports
Reed, Lillian. "Former Laurel police chief gets two life sentences plus 75 years for setting fires." The Baltimore Banner, Jun 27, 2023.
Osborne, Mark. "Former police chief facing dozens of attempted murder charges in alleged arsons." 6ABC Philadelphia. Mar 4, 2021.
News Release - Office of the State's Attorney for Howard County. Ellicott City Resident David Crawford Sentenced to Mu;tiple Life Sentences Plus 75 Years in Serial Arson Case. https://howardcountysao.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/David-Crawford-Sentencing-6.27.23.pdf
Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department. "Serial Arsonist Arrested in Multi-Jurisdictional Investigation." Mar 3, 2021. https://pgfdpio.blogspot.com/2021/03/serial-arsonist-arrested-in-multi.html
Leonard, Kevin. "Crawford's Reign of Terror." Voices of Laurel., https://www.voicesoflaurel.com/post/crawford-s-reign-of-terror
Riess, Rebekah et. al. "Former police chief is facing charges over fires authorities say were linked to people he had disagreements with." CNN US. Mar 4, 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/us/maryland-former-chief-attempted-murder-arson-charges/index.html
"Daughter of Laurel Police Chief Turned Alleged Arsonist David Crawford Speaks Out." WJZ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58Kvo7Ac57s
Swalec, Andrea. "Ex-Police Chief Suspected in Maryland "Revenge" Arsons Kept List of Targets: Officials." NBC 4 Washington. Mar 4, 2021. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/ex-police-chief-suspected-in-maryland-revenge-arsons-kept-list-of-targets-officials/2595652/
Bonessi, Dominique Maria. "Former Md. Police Chief Arrested in Connection to a Dozen Arson Attacks." DCist. Mar 3, 2021. https://dcist.com/story/21/03/03/laurel-maryland-police-chief-david-crawford-arson-fires/
Stabley, Matthew, et. al. "Former Police Chief Accused of Maryland Arsons Over Decade." NBC 4 Washington. Mar 3, 2021. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/former-police-chief-charged-in-series-of-arsons-in-maryland-since-2011/2594009/
TooFab Staff. "Police Finally Catch Serial Arson Suspect After Decade of Fire Attacks - And It's Their Former Chief." TooFab. Mar 5, 2021. https://toofab.com/2021/03/05/police-finally-catch-serial-arson-suspect-after-decade-of-fire-attacks-and-its-their-former-chief/
Baumgart, Jacob. "Stepson's House Fires Tied To Former Laurel Police Chief: Report." Bowie Patch. May 13, 2021. https://patch.com/maryland/bowie/stepsons-house-fires-tied-former-laurel-police-chief-report
I have been researching this case for over 6 months and have made a good faith effort to include all relevant sources. I will update this list as required during the course of this series. If I discover I have omitted a source from this list, I will correct it as soon as I recognize the omission. It's completely possible that I've stashed some papers in some bag or corner I missed while compiling my sources for this reference list. Please reach out to me at crimetoburn@gmail.com if you have concerns.  
 

In 1995, after weeks of harassment, a restaurant owned by an immigrant family was set aflame with one of the family members inside the building. She managed to escape and an enraged community rallied in support of the family and to decry the racism that had nearly cost them a neighbor. Police worked quickly and it wasn't long until they were able to make an arrest in this horrific crime. However, the identify of the arsonist only fanned the flames in Fargo, North Dakota. Find out why on this episode of Crime to Burn
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Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated
Sources used:
https://www.inforum.com/news/the-vault/hate-crime-turned-hoax-shocked-fargo-moorhead-in-1995
https://casetext.com/case/kabob-house-inc-v-houston-gen-ins-co
https://www.interfire.org/res_file/acb_kh.asp
https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/04/us/a-case-of-an-ethnic-attack-is-called-a-hoax.html
https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/10/25/north-dakota-woman-survives-alleged-hate-crime/
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/oct/25/iranian-woman-crawls-to-safety-after-attack/
 

It's one of the weirdest cases of arson I've ever heard. A one-eyed hitman, an adult entertainment and novelty empire, cocaine, tax fraud, hand grenades, bombings, and of course, arson... actually a few arsons. There's no easy way to sum up this case neatly in one coherent description so you're just going to need to go click play and make sure you're sitting down because this case has more crazy than you can shake a rubber anatomically correct appendage at. Join us to find out how "stiff" competition led to this faux phallus flambé on Crime to Burn.
Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X. You can email us feedback at crimetoburn@gmail.com. We would appreciate a 5 star review on whatever platform you use to listen. You can now listen to Crime to Burn on our YouTube Channel. 
Background music by Not Notoriously Coordinated
Sources used: 
https://archive.findlaw.com/blog/federal-lawsuit-dueling-porn-stores-turned-to-arson-fraud/
https://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Prosecutor-Repeat-porn-shop-arsonist-for-hire-5066978.php
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/vancouver-man-pleads-guilty-arson-conspiracy
https://casetext.com/case/bookstore
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2013/11/michael_wright_cocaine_crackin.html
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2013/11/michael_wright_right_2_dream_t.html
https://www.vice.com/en/article/vdxa3x/the-porn-store-rivalry-involving-arson-assassination-plots-and-a-one-eyed-outlaw
 

On this Episode of Crime to Burn, we cover what happens when good animals go bad. From feathered friends joining together to commit arson to beavers chewing their way into felonious behavior, and even the offspring of dear old Smokey the Bear burning down cabins, we're bringing you a series of tails... er tales about animals that started fires. And before you go thinking that all animal-involved conflagrations are accidental and lack intent, you better listen because there is one particular animal that scientists believe intentionally sets fires. Join us to hear all about arsonists of the animal world on Crime to Burn. 
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X. We'd appreciate a 5-star rating and review on whatever platform you use to listen. 
Background Music: Ass Blaster Scarab by Not Notoriously Coordinated
Sources used:
https://phys.org/news/2016-04-echidnas-survive.html
 
https://www.badancient.com/claims/incendiary-pigs/
 
https://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/projects/gondhia/history.html
 
https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/butler-county-family-believes-fire-that-left-them-homeless-was-sparked-by-their-pet-pig/ELJUIU2Q3VFWXB4YFOTPRPMDMI/
 
https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-attack/articles/curious-pig-blamed-for-starting-ny-barn-fire-uuFMF7rWHESu7TlX/
 
https://www.postandcourier.com/ap/pig-blamed-for-setting-south-carolina-deputys-home-on-fire/article_af227264-ea20-11e6-907a-57579d7f37df.html
 
https://greatchicagofire.org/oleary-legend/
 
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2021/10/considering-history-mrs-olearys-cow-didnt-start-the-great-chicago-fire-why-does-it-matter/
 
https://www.yahoo.com/news/cat-blamed-starting-fire-during-150403331.html#:~:text=An%20Ohio%20woman%20says%20her,burner%2C%20Jordan%20Miller%20News%20reported.
 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10366405/Arsonist-cats-blame-100-house-fires-turn-touch-sensitive-cookers.html
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Sipek
 
https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/5z4plg/til_steve_sipek_who_played_tarzan_in_tarzan_and/
 
https://nypost.com/2015/11/11/forget-smokey-bear-elephants-are-now-fighting-forest-fires/
 
https://kmph.com/news/local/bears-on-a-rampage-local-homeowners-at-camp-nelson-demand-action-after-cabin-incineration
 
https://cdllife.com/2019/falling-bear-blamed-for-highway-fire-destruction-of-cop-car/
 
https://www.clarkpest.com/residential-service-blog-old/ants-cause-fire-$80-000-in-damages-get-ant-control#:~:text=When%20the%20ants%20hit%20an,wires%20become%20an%20insect%20highway.
 
https://www.firefighternation.com/wildland/ants-blamed-for-650-acre-fort-davis-tx-wildland-fire/#gref
 
https://www.recordcourier.com/news/2001/dec/19/washington-state-fire-blamed-on-incinerated-grassh/#:~:text=A%20grasshopper%20that%20jumped%20on,the%20area's%20wildfire%20coordination%20agency.
 
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230922-these-la-goats-help-stop-wildfires
 
https://www.firehouse.com/home/news/10469822/alligator-blamed-for-starting-pennsylvania-fire
 
https://www.firehouse.com/home/news/10508473/meowing-frog-prompts-8-hour-search-of-florida-home
 
https://www.iawfonline.org/article/when-prescribed-fire-faces-a-plague-of-pigs/
 
 
https://wildfiretoday.com/tag/animal-arson/page/4/ 
https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/do-rhinos-really-stomp-out-fires.htm
 
https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-ethnobiology/volume-37/issue-4/0278-0771-37.4.700/Intentional-Fire-Spreading-by-Firehawk-Raptors-in-Northern-Australia/10.2993/0278-0771-37.4.700.full
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_pig
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Sipek
 
https://911animalabuse.com/steve-sipek-tarzan/
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_beetle
https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/could-any-creature-evolve-to-breathe-fire-like-a-dragon
https://corvidresearch.blog/tag/crows-stealing-candles/
https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-ethnobiology/volume-37/issue-4/0278-0771-37.4.700/Intentional-Fire-Spreading-by-Firehawk-Raptors-in-Northern-Australia/10.2993/0278-0771-37.4.700.full
 
 
 
 

This is the finale of the Benson Car Bombing Case. You'll finally find out the fate of Steven Benson. But don't get too comfortable, this episode is all brand new twists and turns. There are errors in discovery, errors discovered in testimony, and most shocking, a witness attempts to recant their entire statement to the prosecution. Join us now to find out how this insane case concludes.
We'd love to hear what you think about this series. You can email us at crimetoburn@gmail.com or you can reach out to us through social media. We're on X, Instagram, and Facebook. 
Thank you to everyone for following along on this case. It's been a ton of work but everyone's positive comments and support has made all the effort worth it for us. 
We'd love a 5 star rating and positive review on whatever platform you use to listen. 
See Episode 11, Part 1 of the Benson Car Bombing Case for a full list of sources used throughout this series. 

On this seventh part of the Benson Car Bombing case we go through what happened in the trial. We'll cover the prosecution and defense strategies and the witnesses for each side. There are even more bombshells in the course of the court trial so strap in for a wild one. 
For a complete list of sources, see Part 1 of the Benson Car Bombing case and please listen to Part 1 for important disclaimers.  
Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X and subscribe to our YouTube Channel. We'd love to hear what you think of this series. 
We'd appreciate a 5 star review on whatever platform you use to listen!

In this sixth part of the Benson Family Car Bombing Case we discuss exactly how the police conducted their investigation into the horrific car bombing that severely injured Carol Lynn Benson Kendall and killed her mother and adopted brother. We unearth some serious concerns. Is it possible for anyone to get a fair trial with the way the police manipulated witness statements to get the warrants they wanted? You be the judge. 
See part 1 for all source information and some important disclaimers. 
Please be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X and subscribe to our youtube channel. We'd love to hear what you think of this series. 
We'd appreciate a 5 star review on whatever platform you use to listen! 

In part 5 of the Benson Car Bombing Case, we get into questions of Margaret Benson's will as well as the physical evidence they were able to find. We also go through some of the points of Carol Lynn's official statement to police including her absolutely unhinged accusations about Steven's wife. We also discuss some first-of-their-kind legal maneuvers that investigtors used to tie a suspect to the evidence. Did investigators behave ethically? Listen now to find out. 
Refer to the show notes for Episode 11 for the full list of sources used for this series. 
You can reach us at crimetoburn@gmail.com and we're also on X, Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to subscribe to our youtube channel also. The best compliment you can give to any podcast you enjoy is a 5 star rating and review. 

In this fourth instalment of the Benson Car Bombing Case, we get into the investigation of the horrific crime that killed Margaret and Scott Benson and severely injured Carol Lynn. Police begin to develop a list of suspects and we start discussing who would have motive, means, and opportunity. 
Refer to the show notes for Episode 11 for the full list of sources used. 
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X or email us at crimetoburn@gmail.com. We appreciate your positive reviews and we're happy to accept constructive feedback at our email address or through social media. 

As we continue the Benson Family Car Bombing Case, we'll look even deeper into the family history.  We'll learn some shocking bombshells about Carol Lynn's past that remained buried until the investigation into the bombing unearthed them and laid them bare in the press for the entire world to see. In addition, we learn about Scott and his addiction to fast cars, drugs, girls, and delusions about a professional tennis career. Scott also left in his wake plenty of angry people, could one of them have plotted to murder the entire family? 
Crime to Burn is a true crime podcast about criminal fires. Creator and co-host, April, is a former firefighter and a fire protection engineer with over 20 years of industry experience. Her husband joins her as co-host and he's seen the movie Backdraft at least twice. 
Please see the show notes for Episode 11: The Benson Car Bombing Case Part 1 for a full list of sources for this episode. 
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