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18th birthday ends guardianship for Julius Crawford
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Julius Crawford testifies 10-9-08 in murder trial of Michael Davis.
STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN — Now that Julius Crawford has turned 18, the guardianship set up to secure money raised after six members of his family died in a deliberately set fire will terminate.
In a news release Monday, Judge Mark Belinky of Mahoning County Probate Court said the community donated more than $120,000 to survivors of the Crawford family for their care and benefit.
He said a special-needs trust established for Shannon Crawford, a disabled child, is fully funded and operational, as is the guardianship for Conovis Crawford, who is incarcerated.
The judge said Julius Crawford turned 18 on Sept. 17. A fourth child, Retia Crawford, was an adult at the time of the fire and was not directly under court jurisdiction.
Judge Belinky said the guardianship established after the fire provided care for Julius Crawford and funds remain for his future.
The fatal fire took place at the Crawford home on Stewart Avenue on Jan. 23. Carol Crawford, her daughter Jennifer, and Jennifer’s children Ranaisha, 8; Jeannine, 5; Aleisha, 3; and Brandon, 2, perished.
Last week, a jury found Michael A. Davis, 18, of Bennington Avenue, guilty of aggravated murder and aggravated arson. The six deaths represent the city’s largest mass murder.
Jurors return to court this week for the trial’s death-penalty phase.