Crawford Murder Trial Postponed

A new trial date of Oct. 14 has been set for Arlin Dale Crawford, the 40-year-old Arnold resident accused of killing Bradford Lavelle Davis, 52, and dropping his body near White Pines Lake.

Defense attorney Cyril Ash asked Judge John Martin for the continuance during a brief appearance Monday morning in Calaveras County Superior Court.

“We´re still having a lot of problems with discovery, your honor,” Ash said, referring to evidence he was awaiting from the District Attorney´s Office.

Deputy District Attorney Dana Owens did not object to Ash´s request.

Davis´s body was discovered July 6, 2003, about 1.5 miles north of White Pines Lake. He had been shot in the back and the back of the head with a black powder revolver, a handgun that is loaded with powder, wadding and a lead ball instead of an encased bullet, according to authorities.

During the preliminary hearing, authorities stated Crawford apparently killed the victim in the belief Davis´s girlfriend, Francine Reece, had been beaten by Davis.

Prosecutors are to have their evidence delivered to Ash by a June 28 court appearance.

A trial-readiness conference is scheduled for Oct. 4.

Calaveras Enterprise story by Craig Koscho. For more Calaveras news, click: calaverasenterprise.com