District Man Pleads Guilty to First Degree Murder for Fatally Stabbing Runner

           WASHINGTON – Anthony Crawford, 23, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty today to first degree murder for fatally stabbing a D.C. woman as she ran in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu announced.

           Crawford pled guilty on June 21, 2019, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of first degree murder while armed. The plea agreement, which is contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a sentence of 30 years and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of the plea deal, Crawford will also have to contribute between $100 and $5,000 to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Fund. The Honorable Judge Craig Iscoe scheduled sentencing for September 13, 2019.

           According to the government’s evidence, on the evening of September 18, 2018, Crawford stole a kitchen knife from a local grocery store. Twenty minutes later, Crawford encountered the victim who was out for an evening run. Crawford attacked the victim at the intersection of 11^th Street and P Street, stabbing her seven times; twice in the head, once in her face, three times in the neck, and once in the back, with the stolen knife. The victim was able to get away and ran into a nearby Chinese restaurant to escape Crawford’s attack. Crawford fled the area and threw the knife on the ground. Crawford also discarded several clothing items covered in his and the victim’s blood. 

           Several good Samaritans attempted to save the victim as she lay on the floor of the restaurant bleeding. The victim was transported to a local hospital to receive further medical treatment for the stab wounds. Over the course of the evening, her condition deteriorated and she died from the injuries. 

           Crawford has been in custody since his arrest on September 19, 2018. 

           In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Liu commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, as well as paralegals Alesha Matthews and Kelly Blakeney, and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin. She also expressed appreciation for the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Earnest who prosecuted the matter.