AG Gets Extension on Death Row Case

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood now has until Sept. 26 to file a response to Charles Ray Crawford’s appeal of his 1994 rape conviction.

Crawford, now 48, is currently on Mississippi’s death row for the 1992 slaying of Kristy Ray in the Chalybeate community in Tippah County.

In his appeal, Crawford claims he received ineffective counsel to defend himself against the rape charges, which were used by prosecutors to seek in the death penalty in Ray’s death.

If the Mississippi Supreme Court upholds Crawford’s conviction in the earlier case, Hood could again petition the court to set an execution date. Crawford’s lawyers argue that the death sentence would be negated if the conviction is reversed.

Hood’s response had been due Monday but the time was extended.