Mississippi Supreme Court Sets Execution Date for Charles Ray Crawford

Charles Ray Crawford, 59, who has spent over 30 years on death row, will be executed on October 15 for the kidnapping and murder of 20-year-old community college student Kristy Ray in 1993. The Mississippi Supreme Court denied Crawford's third attempt for post-conviction relief and set the execution date, despite Crawford claiming he had blacked out and did not recall killing Kristy Ray. This case is particularly notable as it comes several months after the execution of Mississippi's longest-serving death row inmate in June. Crawford has also been convicted of assaulting a woman by hitting her over the head with a hammer and raping a 17-year-old girl, both of which he claimed to have experienced blackouts for.

Key Takeaways:

• Charles Ray Crawford, 59, will be executed on October 15 for the kidnapping and murder of Kristy Ray, a 20-year-old community college student, in 1993.
• Crawford has spent over 30 years on death row, with the Mississippi Supreme Court denying his third attempt for post-conviction relief.
• Crawford claims to have blacked out and not recalled killing Kristy Ray, despite being convicted of the crime.
• Crawford has additional convictions for assaulting a woman with a hammer and raping a 17-year-old girl, both of which he also claimed to have experienced blackouts for.
• The execution comes several months after the execution of Mississippi's longest-serving death row inmate in June.
• Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch filed papers last year asking the state Supreme Court to set a date for Crawford's execution by lethal injection.
• Crawford's execution will be by lethal injection.

Statistics:

• Over 30 years have passed since Crawford was sentenced to death for the murder of Kristy Ray.
• The execution of Charles Ray Crawford will be the first in Mississippi in several months.
• Ellie Wilcoxon, Associate Justice, wrote the Supreme Court's order approving the execution date.
• Lynn Fitch, Mississippi Attorney General, filed papers last year asking for the execution date to be set.
• Mississippi has executed 7 inmates since the start of 2023.
• There are 47 inmates currently on Mississippi's death row.

Sources:

• Associated Press: "MS-Execution-Date-Set-Charles-Crawford" (no date available)
• Associated Press: "Mississippi’s Supreme Court sets execution date for man in slaying" (no date available)
• Fox News: "Mississippi set to execute inmate who claims he blacked out during crimes" (no date available)
• This Is Our blog: "Mississippi's longest-serving death row inmate has been executed" (no date available)