Dalton teen pleads guilty to second-degree murder

Nov. 13—Devin Wayne Crawford, 19, of Dalton, pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder in Whitfield County Superior Court on Friday.

Conasauga Judicial Circuit Judge Scott Minter subsequently sentenced Crawford to 20 years — with the first 10 years to be served in prison and the remainder to be served on probation.

As part of a negotiated plea deal with the state, prosecutors agreed to drop one count of murder, one count of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and one count of second-degree cruelty to children against the defendant.

Conasauga Judicial Circuit District Attorney Benjamin Kenemer said Crawford faced a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge.

Crawford was accused of supplying a 16-year-old girl with fentanyl in 2022.

"That child took that drug and went to another location here in Whitfield County, Georgia," Kenemer told the court. "She did not take it in the presence of the defendant, but the defendant acknowledged that she would receive it ... he actually gave it to her, to be clear."

Kenemer said the 16-year-old decedent experienced a fatal overdose after taking the illicit substance.

"This case would be established also by cellphone evidence," he continued. "He went from one location to another and provided that to that child."

Minter asked Kenemer how Crawford knew the victim.

"My understanding was that it was a friends of friends situation," he responded. "It was through those contacts that she got the drug."

Crawford was represented by attorney Jerrid Thompson at Friday's proceedings.

As part of the sentence, Crawford was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and pay $12,341.05 in restitution to the parents of the deceased.

"Those restitution costs are for the burial and funeral expenses for the child that died in this case," Kenemer said.

Another condition of the sentence requires Crawford to undergo substance abuse treatment.

"It is clear that the defendant has a drug problem, as well," Kenemer said.

The family members of the victim were present in the courtroom on Friday. They chose not to address the court.

"They are in agreement with the state's recommendation, I have explained to them completely the maximum, the minimum, the other charges," Kenemer said. "And I have discussed with them the desire to see if this case goes forward to trial, in an effort to avoid the difficulty and trauma of going through that trial."

Crawford will receive credit for time served in pre-trial detention at the Whitfield County Jail dating back to Feb. 23, 2023.