Judge SHUTS HER DOWN | I DISAGREE WITH YOU — OVERRULED

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[00:00:00]Any other questions? You can step down, man. I disagree with you. I'm going to overrule you. I'm sorry. Uh you can step unless there are more questions, any one of you. You can step I'm going to ask you to raise your right hand, please. You solemnly swear or affirm under the penalties of perjury that the testimony you'll give in these proceedings will be the whole truth, so help you God.

[00:00:18]>> I do.

[00:00:19]>> All right, have a seat. I'm just going to ask you to answer all your questions all answer all the questions verbally if you can give it if you can answer it and that you're not mhm's or ah-has or something like that. People against uh David Allen Crawford, file number 25M729642FY.

[00:00:38]Okay, good morning.

[00:00:39]>> Good afternoon, your honor. My name is Nadine Hadid of the People against David Allen Crawford.

[00:00:43]>> I'm sorry, can you can you spell that last name?

[00:00:46]>> H A D I E D >> And it's uh it's pronounced Hadid?

[00:00:51]>> Hadid.

[00:00:52]>> Hadid. I'm sorry.

[00:00:55]And Mr. Jones?

[00:00:57]>> Good afternoon, your honor. Jonathan Jones for the defendant Mr. Crawford.

[00:01:01]>> Sure, your name, please.

[00:01:03]>> David Crawford.

[00:01:04]>> And uh your name, sir?

[00:01:07]>> John Beaufort. Sergeant Dragon, excuse me.

[00:01:09]>> And you are with what department?

[00:01:11]>> New Brunswick PD.

[00:01:12]>> Thank you.

[00:01:13]How do you spell your last name?

[00:01:14]>> It's B E A U F O R E A U.

[00:01:18]>> Thank you very much. All right, today is the date scheduled for preliminary exam.

[00:01:23]Uh defendant here has been charged with assault with intent to do uh murder, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. We have two counts of that, one on Officer Bernard, one on Officer Crawford. And then I have a FA case where the victim is named as Officer Bernard.

[00:01:46]And then uh cur possession of a dangerous weapon without lawful intent, assaulting, resisting, obstructing an officer, and a second count of assault with a destruct assault, resisting obstructing officer.

[00:02:01]The first of those set forth in count six uh uh lists Officer Bernard, count seven lists Officer Cormier. Any preliminary matters, Ms. Hadid?

[00:02:13]>> Yes, Ms. Brady. Um I found the defendants outside in the hallway. I don't know if there's anyone else in the courtroom that would be testifying today. And I would ask for the exception of the officers in court.

[00:02:23]>> All witnesses with the exception of the officer in charge and the defendant who are going to testify either today or at the time of trial >> [snorts] >> have to leave the court, okay?

[00:02:33]Are all of your witnesses out?

[00:02:35]>> Yes.

[00:02:35]>> Sure, if I may. The gentlemen behind me are are not testifying. They're here as observers from the police department. I figured you wouldn't put their names on the record.

[00:02:44]>> Yeah, I am.

[00:02:45]>> Um I I I honestly don't know who they are and I've no objection to being here.

[00:02:48]>> Um Chief Watson, I believe that's Lieutenant Wheeler and Deputy Chief Starzyk. And I >> Sorry, I've got the >> Deputy Chief Lafayette as well. So, they are here. They're not testifying, no?

[00:02:59]True?

[00:02:59]>> Not testifying today.

[00:03:01]>> Okay. Well, well, they're not going to testify at trial, either, right?

[00:03:06]>> Then Chief or the Deputy Chief both perhaps Lieutenant.

[00:03:10]>> I'm going to have to ask whoever might testify at trial to leave as well. So, let the record reflect Lieutenant Wheeler is leaving. I think it's Lieutenant.

[00:03:18]>> Yes.

[00:03:19]>> Okay. Thank you.

[00:03:21]All right. Any other preliminary matters, Ms. Hadid?

[00:03:24]Any other preliminary matters, Mr. Jones?

[00:03:26]>> No, thank you, Judge.

[00:03:27]>> All right.

[00:03:28]>> Can I sit?

[00:03:29]>> Pardon?

[00:03:29]>> Can I sit?

[00:03:30]>> You can sit, yes.

[00:03:32]Call your first witness, Jeremy.

[00:03:46]You said Michael Crawford.

[00:03:50]>> You You didn't read the list to me, Mr. Brady. That's what it felt.

[00:03:54]>> I didn't charge you.

[00:03:55]>> Oh, I'm sorry.

[00:04:01]>> I didn't charge 28.

[00:04:02]>> Sir, you can come right up here to the witness chair if you would, please.

[00:04:13]Good afternoon.

[00:04:14]>> Good afternoon.

[00:04:16]>> Raise your right hand. You solemnly swear or affirm under penalties of perjury that the testimony you will give in these proceedings will be the whole truth, so help you God.

[00:04:23]>> I do.

[00:04:23]>> Have a seat, please. Is your name spelled Michael, M I C H A E L Crawford, C R A W F O R D?

[00:04:30]>> That is correct.

[00:04:31]>> What is your middle name?

[00:04:32]>> Joseph.

[00:04:33]>> J O S E P H?

[00:04:34]>> Yes.

[00:04:35]>> All right. Have you ever testified before?

[00:04:37]>> Never.

[00:04:38]>> I'm just going to ask you to make sure we have a tendency in informal conversations to answer with nods of the head or uh-huhs or uh-huhs.

[00:04:46]Everything that's being said is being recorded here today. So, I'm going to ask you to make sure that you verbalize your responses. Will you do that for me, please?

[00:04:54]>> Yes.

[00:04:54]>> All right, thank you. You may proceed, Mr. Sedee.

[00:04:58]>> State your full name for the record.

[00:04:59]>> Yes, Michael Joseph Crawford.

[00:05:03]>> And Mr. Crawford, I'd like to take you back to November the 28th of 2025. Do you recall that day?

[00:05:08]>> Yes.

[00:05:09]>> And do you recall being at a location 26257 Inkster Drive in this in Brownstown?

[00:05:16]>> Correct.

[00:05:16]>> Okay, and is that in the county of Wayne?

[00:05:18]>> Yes.

[00:05:19]>> State of Michigan?

[00:05:20]>> Yes.

[00:05:20]>> What is at this particular location?

[00:05:23]>> Could you say that again? I'm sorry.

[00:05:24]>> What is at this location?

[00:05:26]>> Oh, my house. My home.

[00:05:27]>> And who do you reside there with?

[00:05:29]>> My my mother, my father, my sister, my girlfriend, my child Sophie.

[00:05:35]>> Let's start with your father. What's your father's name?

[00:05:37]>> David Allen Crawford.

[00:05:38]>> And is he in the courtroom today?

[00:05:40]>> Yes.

[00:05:40]>> Can you please point him out and tell me what he's wearing today for the record?

[00:05:44]>> Yes, he is wearing wearing a blue shirt with a over him and his got gray hair.

[00:05:49]>> I have no objection to the witness identifying his father.

[00:05:52]>> The record should show reflect that the witness has been identified. I'm sorry that the defendant has been identified.

[00:05:58]Thank you.

[00:05:59]>> And what is your mother's name?

[00:06:00]>> Sandra Inez Crawford.

[00:06:02]>> And your you said your girlfriend was there as well?

[00:06:06]>> My girlfriend was.

[00:06:07]>> What's her name?

[00:06:08]>> Jessica Ann Backus.

[00:06:10]>> How do you spell Backus?

[00:06:11]>> B A C K H A U S.

[00:06:15]>> And you said that your daughter Sophie >> Yep, Sophie.

[00:06:18]>> And anyone else besides the people that you said resided in?

[00:06:21]>> And my sister Ashley.

[00:06:23]>> Ashley, same last name as you?

[00:06:24]>> Same last name.

[00:06:26]>> And at around 7:00 in the evening were you in your home?

[00:06:30]>> Yes.

[00:06:31]>> And was who was in the home?

[00:06:34]>> Uh my mother, my girlfriend, I was at the home, and my child was in the home.

[00:06:41]>> Where was your father?

[00:06:42]>> Then my father was in the home.

[00:06:44]>> Where was he at the time of the meeting her in the home?

[00:06:46]>> Oh, um >> Around 7:00.

[00:06:48]>> Yes, he was in the garage.

[00:06:51]>> What if anything was he doing in the garage?

[00:06:53]>> Uh consuming alcohol.

[00:06:55]>> And was it normal for him to consume alcohol in the garage?

[00:06:58]>> Yes.

[00:06:58]>> Do you know whether or not the lights were on or off in the garage?

[00:07:00]>> I do not know.

[00:07:02]>> Um did you and him have an interaction with each other?

[00:07:05]>> I did.

[00:07:06]>> Describe that for the court.

[00:07:08]>> Yes, my interaction with my father was us having words and from there having a wrestling match about an altercation with Jessica, my girlfriend.

[00:07:26]>> Well, I'm going to go back a little bit.

[00:07:28]Did Jessica ever speak to your father while he was in the garage?

[00:07:31]>> She did.

[00:07:32]>> What was it about?

[00:07:34]>> A missing poster having to do with a cartoon for my child.

[00:07:40]>> And what was your father's response to Jessica?

[00:07:42]>> That he did not know where this poster was.

[00:07:45]>> Did he get louder?

[00:07:48]>> Yes, at the time.

[00:07:50]>> And what if anything did you do in response to that?

[00:07:53]>> It provoked a response for me to defend my girlfriend.

[00:07:56]>> Why?

[00:07:57]>> Just to talk back and defend her honor.

[00:08:00]>> And what did you say to your father?

[00:08:03]>> I had said, "Do not speak to her that way. There is no reason to be an a-hole."

[00:08:10]>> You can Your Honor, he can swear.

[00:08:13]>> can tell the word. We're adults here. Go ahead.

[00:08:15]>> [ __ ] >> And what if anything does your father say in response?

[00:08:21]>> In response, he said, in other words, "Back off.

[00:08:25]I'm not doing anything wrong." And I do not know if he went back in the garage after that.

[00:08:29]>> And where did you go?

[00:08:30]>> I went to the living room where the fireplace is and went back on my gaming laptop computer.

[00:08:37]>> Were you seated or standing?

[00:08:38]>> I was seated at the time.

[00:08:40]>> And exactly what happened then?

[00:08:42]>> My father comes in through the garage into the kitchen.

[00:08:47]Sits next to me and tries to argue with me.

[00:08:53]I tell him that I am not going to get into that and he slammed my laptop. Like just pushed like the the head of it down to get a a nerve out of me.

[00:09:05]>> Did your laptop slam shut?

[00:09:07]>> It didn't slam shut. It was halfway through, but enough to make me mad and provoke a response.

[00:09:11]>> What did you say in response?

[00:09:13]>> I said, "Really? Don't touch my stuff."

[00:09:18]I got up out of my seat and I said, "Do you really want to do this right now?"

[00:09:23]>> And what happened?

[00:09:24]>> And then, um, from there, there was pushing back and forth.

[00:09:30]>> Who started the pushing?

[00:09:31]>> My father.

[00:09:33]>> What on what part of your body did he push you?

[00:09:35]>> Just on the chest.

[00:09:36]>> Okay. And what did you do with your spine?

[00:09:38]>> I put you in a bind.

[00:09:39]>> And then what?

[00:09:40]>> And from there a wrestling match happens.

[00:09:43]Um >> Well, describe wrestling match. What do you mean by that?

[00:09:46]>> So, um I would grappling. We grappled each other's torsos.

[00:09:51]Um and from there we had both >> And the referee stated the witnesses put his arms in front of him. He said he would have been someone >> Is that true? Is that the what you were doing, correct?

[00:10:03]>> Yes.

[00:10:04]>> So, you you almost had your hands and arms widespread where you would hug somebody like that.

[00:10:10]>> In a in a hugging manner.

[00:10:12]>> Right. Okay. And you wrapped your arms around your father?

[00:10:15]>> Correct.

[00:10:17]>> And you right.

[00:10:18]And where were your father's arms?

[00:10:21]>> My father's arms at that time uh we were still standing around I would say my chest area like this. So, I was at his torso, he was at my chest. And then we had tripped into the couch and continued the quarrels there. Well, grappling match there.

[00:10:36]>> Um where where was his arm at that point?

[00:10:39]>> At that point it had switched and it had went above my head like this.

[00:10:44]Right above my forehead. And from there my my face was in the couch.

[00:10:50]>> Face including nose and mouth?

[00:10:53]>> Yes.

[00:10:53]>> Correct.

[00:10:55]>> Correct.

[00:10:55]>> Correct. Were you able to breathe when your face was pushed into the couch?

[00:10:59]>> In the in the panic I was saying I could not breathe.

[00:11:03]>> Well, >> And my face was in the couch, it was hard to breathe.

[00:11:08]>> Do you recall ever saying I can't breathe, I can't breathe?

[00:11:11]>> I do recall that, yes.

[00:11:13]>> And um were you able to get up?

[00:11:16]>> I at that time I was not able to get up.

[00:11:18]>> And how long would you say had an arm around your head and your face stuffed into the couch and you couldn't breathe?

[00:11:26]>> No more than 5 minutes.

[00:11:28]>> And who was in the room when that was occurring?

[00:11:31]>> My mother and my girlfriend.

[00:11:34]>> Where >> But you're not suggesting you couldn't breathe for 5 minutes, correct?

[00:11:38]>> Not for 5 minutes. I just do recall that whole altercation going on for around no more than 5 minutes.

[00:11:45]>> Okay.

[00:11:48]>> Did you ever describe what your father did to the police as a headlock?

[00:11:54]>> I did describe to the investigators after the fact. Oh, to the police.

[00:11:59]>> Yes.

[00:11:59]>> Um to the um to the police. When they arrived, I believe I did tell them that there was an altercation going on with my father and I.

[00:12:14]And that I could not breathe.

[00:12:17]>> Well, I will get get to that, but what did it take for your father to release you from >> Oh.

[00:12:25]>> that movement?

[00:12:26]>> Yes, my neighbor had arrived to that scene.

[00:12:29]And she had said, "David, get off of him."

[00:12:32]So then, he did get off of me after that.

[00:12:36]>> And were you >> Hey, who said that?

[00:12:38]>> My neighbor, Leah Lebeck.

[00:12:40]>> Okay.

[00:12:41]>> Were you able to breathe better once he released his arm off you?

[00:12:45]>> Yeah.

[00:12:46]>> And then what happened?

[00:12:48]>> Um after that, I believe my father had went into the garage from what I believe happened when he left.

[00:12:55]>> You keep on saying believe. Do you know or not know?

[00:12:58]>> You know, I'm going to be honest. I do not know if my father went to the garage after that time.

[00:13:02]>> Did you later learn that your father was in the garage?

[00:13:09]>> I I don't know.

[00:13:11]I don't know if he went there.

[00:13:13]>> Well, was he anywhere near you?

[00:13:15]>> After the fight?

[00:13:16]>> Yes.

[00:13:16]>> No, he was gone.

[00:13:18]>> And where did you stay?

[00:13:20]>> I went right to the the other living room, uh that which is by my dining right by the front door of my home.

[00:13:26]>> And were you aware of whether or anyone in your home called 911 that day?

[00:13:30]>> I do know that my girlfriend Jessica did call 911 that day.

[00:13:33]>> And did the police arrive to your home?

[00:13:35]>> They did.

[00:13:36]>> The Brownstown Township Police Department >> I believe so.

[00:13:39]>> And did you meet with officers in your home?

[00:13:42]>> Yes, I did.

[00:13:43]>> Tell them everything that had occurred.

[00:13:45]>> I had.

[00:13:46]>> And did you describe the motion that or the movement that your father had towards you as a headlock?

[00:13:52]>> I believe I did, yes.

[00:13:54]>> Did you also tell them that you couldn't breathe?

[00:13:57]>> I did tell them I could not breathe.

[00:13:59]>> Um Do you recall uh what you said to your father after he released you from that headlock?

[00:14:07]>> Yes, I did say I hate you.

[00:14:09]>> And what if anything did your father say in response?

[00:14:11]>> And my father did say he would I kill you.

[00:14:15]>> I will kill you.

[00:14:16]>> I'll kill you.

[00:14:17]>> I'll kill you.

[00:14:18]And uh when the police ran your home after, you know, describing everything that had occurred, do you recall whether or not you had marks on your neck?

[00:14:28]>> I do. When the police came, I do not recall checking to see if I had marks on my neck.

[00:14:33]>> Did you request to go to the hospital or did you request EMS at all?

[00:14:36]>> No, I did not.

[00:14:38]>> Um And then where did you proceed to go?

[00:14:41]>> My neighbor's house.

[00:14:42]>> Um in your garage, are there any weapons in there?

[00:14:46]>> Tools.

[00:14:48]>> So, no >> No guns, no firearms.

[00:14:51]>> And and you say tools, why do you Are those considered weapons, too?

[00:14:55]>> I would say like tools could be used as a weapon.

[00:14:59]>> Um and then after you go to your neighbor's house, uh do you stay there until the police come into the home?

[00:15:06]>> Well, the police had already been there.

[00:15:07]We had stayed there until they were trying to diffuse the situation.

[00:15:11]>> Okay.

[00:15:12]Um and after the incident, did you make a statement, a formal statement to detectives from the Michigan State Police?

[00:15:18]>> I did.

[00:15:18]>> And did you describe to them again that your father had you in a headlock and that you couldn't breathe.

[00:15:24]>> I did.

[00:15:25]>> And you recall a detective from the Michigan State Police taking pictures of you.

[00:15:30]>> I do of my neck.

[00:15:33]>> Just to be I have what's been marked as people's proposed exhibit >> I stipulate to its admission.

[00:15:42]>> All right. You're moving [clears throat] for the admission of people's one there being no objection and a stipulation people's one is admitted.

[00:15:48]>> Thank you, Judge. May I approach?

[00:15:49]>> You may.

[00:15:51]>> Mr. Crawford, does this picture fairly and accurately depict the way your neck looked um the same day as this incident?

[00:15:59]>> That was, yes.

[00:16:01]>> You're going to mark all of these exhibits as the exhibit?

[00:16:03]>> Yes.

[00:16:06]>> Now, since this incident, um have you gone back to the home and resided there?

[00:16:12]>> Correct, yes.

[00:16:13]>> Um they are also residing at the same home.

[00:16:15]>> He does.

[00:16:16]>> Did your father say anything to you after this incident?

[00:16:22]>> No.

[00:16:23]>> Did he apologize for what happened?

[00:16:24]>> Yes.

[00:16:26]>> I have nothing.

[00:16:28]>> Ross?

[00:16:29]>> May I?

[00:16:30]>> You may.

[00:16:32]>> Can I call you Michael?

[00:16:33]>> Sure.

[00:16:34]>> Good afternoon, Michael. How are you?

[00:16:35]>> Good. How are you?

[00:16:36]>> All right. I want the record to be real clear. You know who I am, right?

[00:16:39]>> I do.

[00:16:40]>> We've talked on the phone several times.

[00:16:41]>> We have.

[00:16:42]>> All right. You're not enjoying this any more than I am, right?

[00:16:45]>> No, I'm not.

[00:16:46]>> And there's probably no place you'd rather be less, right?

[00:16:48]>> Yeah.

[00:16:49]>> Okay.

[00:16:50]So, um sister counsel, it's the fancy word we use to say attorney. Um asked you a bunch of questions. I'm going to ask you a a few, too.

[00:17:00]>> Okay.

[00:17:00]>> So, um when you initially went into the garage and the verbal conversation with your dad started, can you you had said he'd been consuming alcohol.

[00:17:12]>> Correct, yes.

[00:17:13]>> Do you have any idea what he consumed?

[00:17:16]>> I would imagine it would be Bud Light, but I didn't take a guess at that.

[00:17:20]>> Okay. And how long have you lived with him?

[00:17:23]>> Oh, my whole life. 29 years.

[00:17:26]>> Fair to say that he's been drinking all all before >> I have.

[00:17:29]>> Fair to say that based on the fact that you lived there your whole life you're you know what his habits and style was all on.

[00:17:35]>> Oh, yeah, pretty well acquainted with.

[00:17:37]>> I see his Bud Light is church of choice.

[00:17:39]>> Yes.

[00:17:40]>> Do you have any idea how many cans, bottles, whatever it was he might have had?

[00:17:45]>> Ooh, uh >> I don't want you to guess. If you know, you know what I'm talking about.

[00:17:50]>> I don't know, but I've got a good idea.

[00:17:52]>> All right.

[00:17:52]What what What makes you say you have a good idea?

[00:17:54]>> I just based on previous consumption of drink, maybe a good 12-pack will do it.

[00:18:00]>> Okay. So, do you believe around 7:00 when the the question the timeline started that we're talking about that he was, you know, somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-12 beers in?

[00:18:12]>> Mhm.

[00:18:13]>> Is that a yes? In other words >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yes.

[00:18:17]>> You won't get in trouble with my mates, okay? It's all right. Okay. All right.

[00:18:21]So, having said that, was he What was he doing in the garage? Was he working? Was he standing? Was he sitting? Yeah, what was he doing?

[00:18:30]>> Drinking and talking not to himself.

[00:18:33]>> Do you have any idea who he was talking to?

[00:18:35]>> Other family members.

[00:18:38]>> Or in the house?

[00:18:39]>> Not in the house. We have family in New Jersey.

[00:18:41]>> I see.

[00:18:42]What And again, was he sitting in the garage? What did you describe what it looked like when you walked in the garage?

[00:18:48]>> Um he was standing at the time.

[00:18:50]>> Does he have a chair or something he sits in in the garage?

[00:18:54]>> I He usually sit sits on the step of the garage.

[00:18:57]>> But he was standing at this moment in time.

[00:18:59]>> Yes.

[00:19:00]>> When you walked into the garage, was he facing the door you came in through?

[00:19:05]>> Yes. Yes.

[00:19:07]>> Okay. Immediately upon making eye contact and contact with him, you then scratch to some.

[00:19:12]>> Yes.

[00:19:13]>> Okay.

[00:19:13]And Uh he basically told you he didn't do anything wrong. He do whatever he wanted.

[00:19:22]>> Yes.

[00:19:22]>> Okay.

[00:19:23]And then when you went back to the house, did he follow?

[00:19:27]>> No, he did not follow me that time.

[00:19:29]>> How much time elapsed between you going back to the computer and Jack coming in?

[00:19:35]>> 10 minutes.

[00:19:37]>> When you came back in, where were you sitting?

[00:19:39]>> On the couch.

[00:19:41]>> Were you engaged with your computer?

[00:19:42]>> Correct.

[00:19:44]>> Was there anybody else on it?

[00:19:45]>> No.

[00:19:46]>> Did he sit down like right next to you?

[00:19:50]>> Yes.

[00:19:50]>> Okay. As I look at your left shoulder, I see a black chair behind you. You're not You're not like flush against it, if you know what I mean.

[00:19:59]>> Right.

[00:20:00]>> Okay. Now Now you are. Well, was he like did he shoulder and and right arm Well, what side of you is he?

[00:20:07]>> He's on my right side.

[00:20:09]>> Okay. So, did he his left arm to my to your right shoulder? I was he that close?

[00:20:13]>> He was close enough to be elbow space, yes.

[00:20:16]>> Okay, but did he make physical contact?

[00:20:18]>> No, no physical contact with me then.

[00:20:21]>> So, he basically shut your computer and stopped it from being used.

[00:20:24]>> Correct.

[00:20:25]>> Right. And you testified he did actual attack. I'm using a different word, but the gist of it is you said that you thought he did actual attack. That's what you said.

[00:20:33]>> I believe so, yes.

[00:20:35]>> Did you touch the baby?

[00:20:36]>> I did.

[00:20:37]>> Okay. So, what exactly happened next?

[00:20:39]What Did you guys say like, "What are we doing?"

[00:20:42]>> Yeah, so I I got up from the couch and I confronted him on that, you know.

[00:20:47]>> Well, let's let's unpack that. When you got up, did he stay sitting on the couch?

[00:20:53]>> No, he got up with me.

[00:20:54]>> So, you guys face-to-face at this point?

[00:20:56]>> Face-to-face.

[00:20:57]>> Okay. And you're not intimidated, right?

[00:20:59]>> No.

[00:21:00]>> You're not scared.

[00:21:00]>> Nope.

[00:21:01]>> You're in no fear of a of being dead.

[00:21:03]>> No, sir.

[00:21:04]>> You know it's going to be a verbal altercation.

[00:21:07]>> Correct.

[00:21:08]>> Basically, that's what you wanted at this point.

[00:21:10]>> That's what we wanted.

[00:21:11]>> Yeah, you didn't intend to crash, but basically you would get There was no turning back now.

[00:21:16]>> No.

[00:21:17]>> So, you guys have your little verbal back and forth, right?

[00:21:20]>> Mhm.

[00:21:20]>> All right. Is that a yes?

[00:21:22]>> Yes.

[00:21:22]>> Thank you. Just one more question.

[00:21:24]And I You've trained me very well on this topic.

[00:21:28]All right. So, at what point does he sort of put you in a bear >> The bear hug would happen about a minute after the push.

[00:21:41]>> Okay.

[00:21:42]He pushes you You said in the chest?

[00:21:45]>> Yes.

[00:21:45]>> Can you show me on your chest?

[00:21:47]>> Right here.

[00:21:48]>> All right. He He literally >> Up at Up where in your sternum area?

[00:21:51]>> Right. Right.

[00:21:52]>> Okay, and you're Okay.

[00:21:54]>> Um and does that move you backwards?

[00:21:58]>> It does.

[00:21:59]>> And And you just come right back to where he pushed you?

[00:22:02]>> Yes.

[00:22:03]Is that a yes?

[00:22:04]>> Where?

[00:22:04]>> Where?

[00:22:06]Um I I push him back in the same area in the chest area. Like right here.

[00:22:10]>> I just He moved back?

[00:22:12]>> He does.

[00:22:13]>> Is he like wobbly at this point?

[00:22:16]>> He is a bit wobbly.

[00:22:17]>> Okay. So, did you think you were going to push him over?

[00:22:20]>> I thought so.

[00:22:21]>> Did you try to?

[00:22:22]>> I didn't do it with my full force, but enough to tell him to leave me alone.

[00:22:27]>> Is it fair that you thought under in the condition he was in you might have hit pushed him hard enough that he might go down?

[00:22:35]>> Uh not at that time. I don't think I pushed him hard enough to actually make him go.

[00:22:40]>> Did he push you back?

[00:22:41]>> He did push me back.

[00:22:43]>> And then?

[00:22:44]>> And then from there we grappled or wrestled. That's when I wrapped him by his torso and he grabbed me by my upper half here.

[00:22:54]>> About being in your shoulder area?

[00:22:56]>> Yes.

[00:22:58]>> I I want you to understand I'm I'm trying to make a mockery of this, but I I want to get at this clear an image as I can. Have you ever watched professional wrestling?

[00:23:07]>> I have.

[00:23:09]>> So, you've seen that sometimes when the match is start, they push each other and then they, as you said, they sort of lock up and I think it's what the announcers call a team.

[00:23:17]>> Yes.

[00:23:19]>> Is that what basically happened?

[00:23:20]>> Yes.

[00:23:21]>> So, when you guys lock up, do you feel like you're in a knee?

[00:23:26]>> I do not.

[00:23:31]>> When does the locking up move reach your stomach in essence locked up to being on couch?

[00:23:38]>> I'd say probably about 20 seconds.

[00:23:41]>> Okay.

[00:23:42]Can you describe what physically changed to move you from locked up standing on the floor to being on couch?

[00:23:51]>> Yes, so we had tripped while we were locked up.

[00:23:55]>> On what?

[00:23:56]>> I tripped over my foot in that time and it was my foot cuz I remember that dropping me into the couch area.

[00:24:04]From the couch area, that's when the the movement interchanged, like trick switch.

[00:24:11]>> Okay.

[00:24:11]So, when it changed, is this when you were in a headlock?

[00:24:15]>> This is when I was in a headlock.

[00:24:16]>> Okay. Can you please show us on your head with your arm slowly, cuz we're going to describe it for the record, where your father's arms were on your head when you were in what you described verbally and then in a written form, the headlock.

[00:24:33]>> Yes.

[00:24:36]>> Okay. So, I want the two of you guys bless you. Thank you. You guys stay there while I make me a picture. All right.

[00:24:43]I want the record to reflect of course if there's no objection, sister counsel, that Mr. Crawford, the owner, has his right bicep against his right temple and his right forearm was directly across his forehead above his eyebrows where his glasses would be.

[00:25:06]>> So, stipulated.

[00:25:07]>> Okay.

[00:25:07]>> All right.

[00:25:08]>> And um if you're comfortable, you can stay there for now or you can change.

[00:25:13]>> You got it.

[00:25:14]>> And you push your hand so much harder to say that.

[00:25:16]So, um in no way, shape, or form was he blocking your nose or mouth?

[00:25:21]>> Not with his arm.

[00:25:22]>> And in no way, shape, or form was he doing anything to with um restrict the airflow by using that?

[00:25:28]>> He's not.

[00:25:29]>> All right. So, was there ever a point where he did either of those things?

[00:25:37]>> Where the where that came from was because my face was in the couch.

[00:25:41]That's why I couldn't breathe.

[00:25:44]I don't believe his intention.

[00:25:46]>> Objection. Judge, that's going to be uh speculation.

[00:25:49]>> Well, if he knows and he talks.

[00:25:52]>> Well, you can't testify to what someone else's intent would be.

[00:25:55]>> All right, that's fair.

[00:25:57]>> I can rephrase that.

[00:25:58]>> Well, I'm going to keep all of that answer in there, but I don't believe that was his intention.

[00:26:04]I'm striking from the record.

[00:26:07]>> All right.

[00:26:12]You have a baby.

[00:26:13]>> I do.

[00:26:14]>> How old?

[00:26:15]>> She is seven.

[00:26:16]>> Seven years old?

[00:26:17]>> Seven years old.

[00:26:18]>> So, she's got a baby at home.

[00:26:20]>> Well, I still think she was, though.

[00:26:22]>> All right.

[00:26:23]So, when your seven-year-old was little, and she slept even when she was in a crib, there would be times she would sleep on her stomach, right?

[00:26:32]Right?

[00:26:33]>> Yes.

[00:26:33]>> Okay.

[00:26:34]And sometimes she would do that, her face would be down on the mattress, right?

[00:26:39]>> Yes.

[00:26:40]>> Okay.

[00:26:40]The first time you see this as a parent, you flip out, right?

[00:26:43]>> Yes.

[00:26:44]>> That's because you're going, "Oh my gosh, she can't breathe, right?"

[00:26:46]>> Correct, yes.

[00:26:47]>> But then you learn that they can breathe.

[00:26:49]>> Yes.

[00:26:50]>> And they're really not restricted in there for long.

[00:26:53]>> Correct.

[00:26:54]>> Right. And then you tell all your other friends or parents and you're laughing at each other, right?

[00:26:58]>> Yes.

[00:26:59]>> So, is that sort of what we have here?

[00:27:01]>> Yes.

[00:27:04]>> Now, um when he said he was going to kill you, you didn't believe him.

[00:27:10]>> I did not know.

[00:27:12]>> Did he ever do anything to make any form of gesture that led you to believe he was trying to follow through with his threat?

[00:27:23]>> Never.

[00:27:24]>> Did he ever do anything where it even crossed your mind that your life could be in danger?

[00:27:30]>> No.

[00:27:30]>> After he made that threat, did he touch you?

[00:27:35]>> No.

[00:27:36]>> Did he ever introduce something into this mouth, verbal, and his hands, as we've already discussed?

[00:27:47]>> No.

[00:27:49]>> And I think you said that I'm just going to confirm, you're 29?

[00:27:53]>> Correct.

[00:27:54]>> Thank you.

[00:27:56]>> Thank you.

[00:27:57]>> You may proceed redirect.

[00:27:59]>> Um thank Did you want any of this to happen?

[00:28:02]>> No.

[00:28:04]>> Um did you want to get into an argument with your father?

[00:28:07]>> No.

[00:28:07]>> Did you want it to get physical?

[00:28:09]>> No.

[00:28:10]>> Um you indicated to me when I asked you on direct examination that your face was pushed into the couch, correct?

[00:28:17]>> Yes.

[00:28:18]>> Was he pushing your face into the >> Myself, no.

[00:28:22]>> It was your father that was pushing your face into the couch.

[00:28:24]>> My face was in the couch from the match that we had that we were in. It was just the positioning.

[00:28:31]>> But who was on top of you?

[00:28:33]>> My father was, but not in the matter of putting force into the couch itself.

[00:28:38]>> Why couldn't you get up?

[00:28:39]>> Because he's a little heavier than me.

[00:28:41]>> So, he was on top >> He was on top of me, but my face just so happened to be in that couch, but it wasn't like on my head pushing me in there.

[00:28:50]>> According to you, it was around your head, right?

[00:28:52]>> Correct.

[00:28:53]>> You described it previously as a headlock.

[00:28:56]>> Yes.

[00:28:56]>> And your face, nose, and mouth was pushed into the couch.

[00:29:00]>> It was like in the couch, and I was kid, I couldn't breathe. I was panting.

[00:29:05]>> I understand that the situation might be awful for you, right?

[00:29:10]>> Yes.

[00:29:10]>> Um but it's important to be honest about what happened.

[00:29:13]It makes >> I understand.

[00:29:16]>> Now, defense also asked you, you know, that your father didn't touch you after you got up, correct?

[00:29:22]>> Correct.

[00:29:22]>> Uh was he anywhere near you in order to do that? Did he just leave?

[00:29:27]>> He had just left.

[00:29:28]>> Uh I'm looking for a key.

[00:29:31]>> Were his arms or where was he was your father's hands around your neck?

[00:29:38]>> No, my father's arms were not around my neck.

[00:29:44]>> So, what you're describing when you lost your breath was when your head your head was pushed into the couch?

[00:29:53]>> Yes.

[00:29:54]>> And the and he was on top of you.

[00:29:57]>> Yes.

[00:30:02]>> Yeah.

[00:30:02]>> Thanks. Well, I got my notes. Did Did you feel he was pushing your head into the couch to prevent you from breathing?

[00:30:10]>> I do not feel that he was forcing my head into the couch. It was just a positioning. It's very hard to paint the picture. I do apologize.

[00:30:18]>> Um I I mean, we don't have to start I think you're doing better than you realize, but the um but the question is, you said you were panicked.

[00:30:26]>> Yes.

[00:30:27]>> Okay, but that's distinguishable from someone preventing you from breathing.

[00:30:31]>> Yes.

[00:30:33]>> And it's clear that you did not think he was trying to stop you from breathing.

[00:30:37]>> No, I do not believe that was his intention.

[00:30:40]>> I would object to that. You can't testify to someone's intent.

[00:30:43]>> Well, I I They think as I see you weighing the the scale of justice in your head, I think what what is really the relevant point is whether or not the the witness >> Yeah, I disagree with you. I'm going to overrule you. I'm sorry.

[00:30:58]Uh you can step unless there are more questions, any one of you. You can step You can You you are free to step down. You are free to go. You cannot discuss your testimony with any other witness. Call your next witness, please.

[00:31:15]>> Miss Leo Lavette, she's l e a h.

[00:31:18]>> Okay.

[00:31:39]Can you spell the name of this next witness?

[00:31:41]>> First name l e a i h.

[00:31:44]Last name spelled l a v e t u v >> Thank you.

[00:32:10]You can come on right up here to the witness chair, ma'am.

[00:32:22]I'm going to ask you to raise your right hand, please. Do you solemnly swear or affirm under the penalties of perjury that the testimony you'll give in these proceedings will be the whole truth, so help you God?

[00:32:30]>> I do.

[00:32:31]>> All right, have a seat. I'm just going to ask you to answer all your questions answer all the questions verbally if you can give it if you can answer it and that you're not Mhm, Zara Hazard simple matters of that.

[00:32:43]>> A normal family argument suddenly turned into a terrifying courtroom case after a father and son got into a violent fight inside their home. According to testimony, the father had been drinking heavily in the garage before confronting his son over an argument involving the son's girlfriend. The situation quickly became physical ending with the son pinned against a couch struggling to breathe while his father allegedly held him in a headlock. The most shocking moment came when the son told the court his father screamed "I'll kill you." A neighbor rushed inside to stop the fight before police arrived at the house.

[00:33:22]>> Thank you. You can proceed.

[00:33:25]>> Thank you, Judge. Can you please state your full name for the record?

[00:33:28]>> Leah Katherine Lovec.

[00:33:31]>> Uh Ms. Lovec, I'd like to take you back to November the 28th of 2025. Do you remember that day?

[00:33:36]>> I do.

[00:33:37]>> And you live near 26257 Ingram Drive in Brownstown, Michigan.

[00:33:43]>> Yes, that is my address.

[00:33:44]>> And are you familiar with David Allen Crawford?

[00:33:46]>> I am.

[00:33:47]>> Uh who is he to you?

[00:33:49]>> He's a neighbor. He's a friend.

[00:33:51]>> And you see him in the courtroom today?

[00:33:53]>> I do.

[00:33:54]>> Can you please describe him in the courtroom today?

[00:33:56]In plain language.

[00:33:58]>> I'd rather he flash his name.

[00:34:00]>> All right, so you stipulate that >> Yes.

[00:34:03]>> All right, so Ma'am, that's him, right?

[00:34:06]>> That is him.

[00:34:06]>> The witness has identified the defendant.

[00:34:09]>> Thank you.

[00:34:10]And then did you have an occasion to go into take David Allen Crawford's house at around 7:00 in the evening?

[00:34:19]>> I did.

[00:34:20]>> Why is it that you went to the home?

[00:34:23]>> I was talking to his wife on the phone.

[00:34:25]>> What is his name and what?

[00:34:26]>> Sandra Dawn Crawford.

[00:34:28]>> Okay.

[00:34:28]>> And um we were on the phone for just few seconds and then she started yelling, "Dave, get off of him. Get off of him.

[00:34:37]You're You're hurting him. You're" You know, she just went on.

[00:34:41]>> Um, I think she >> She didn't hang up the phone. And she said, "We're going to call your mother."

[00:34:46]"All right, that's it. We're calling the police."

[00:34:48]>> And that's what you heard over the phone over the phone. And what did you proceed to do next?

[00:34:53]>> Since she did not hang up with me, I went over there because I know they have a young uh granddaughter that lives in the home and I went to grab her.

[00:35:03]But I didn't just grab her. I went to where I knew David and them were at.

[00:35:08]>> And where was that in the home?

[00:35:09]>> In the the back room.

[00:35:11]>> And what did you observe when you went into the back room?

[00:35:14]>> What what?

[00:35:15]>> What did you observe when you went into the back room?

[00:35:18]>> David had his left arm around Michael's choking him and his right hand made into a fist like in front of him.

[00:35:25]>> Can you describe the choking?

[00:35:28]>> Um The arm like was his left arm was all the way around Michael's neck.

[00:35:35]>> Okay.

[00:35:36]Where was Michael's face?

[00:35:38]>> In the couch.

[00:35:40]>> And uh can you describe David's uh right hand doing what motion?

[00:35:45]>> It was in a a fist.

[00:35:47]>> While in a fist.

[00:35:47]>> Yeah.

[00:35:48]>> So you used your left arm to describe the the choking and then your right arm in a fist.

[00:35:53]>> Yes.

[00:35:54]>> Okay.

[00:35:55]Um and what is Michael saying anything?

[00:35:59]>> No.

[00:36:00]No. I couldn't I I It's possible he did but I don't recall Michael saying anything. I put my hand on Dave's shoulder and said, "Dave, stop. Stop. You're hurting him." Dave looked at me, looked back at Michael, said something and I couldn't tell you what he said.

[00:36:17]Then he got off Michael and went to the garage.

[00:36:20]>> And did you see him walk away and go into the garage?

[00:36:22]>> I followed him.

[00:36:24]>> And did you see anything?

[00:36:25]>> No, I did not go in the garage with Dave. I went and I grabbed their granddaughter and I took her to my house.

[00:36:30]>> Do you recall whether the lights were on or off in the room?

[00:36:34]When you followed him?

[00:36:35]>> No, I I couldn't tell you.

[00:36:37]>> Um and then you indicated you went back into that room.

[00:36:41]The the family room area?

[00:36:43]>> No, when Dave got up and walked out, I followed Dave. He went left into the um utility room, which leads to his garage, and I went straight and grabbed their granddaughter and went out the front door with my mom.

[00:36:56]>> And did um Michael, Sandra, and Jessica end up coming to your home to pick >> They did.

[00:37:03]>> How soon after you had taken the granddaughter to your home, would you say they went to your home?

[00:37:12]>> 10 Between 10 and 15 minutes, maybe.

[00:37:15]>> And then um after they come into your home, and later on in the evening or the following day, did you make a statement to the Michigan >> That night, I did.

[00:37:33]>> I have nothing further with her.

[00:37:35]>> Cross.

[00:37:36]Just a couple of quick questions.

[00:37:38]So, you said that that David's right hand was balled up in a fist. Correct?

[00:37:44]Did you ever see him hit Michael?

[00:37:46]>> I did not.

[00:37:46]>> Did you ever see his hand move?

[00:37:49]>> Um yeah, like but that was when I tapped him on the shoulder and told him to um you know, get off of Michael.

[00:38:00]>> So, he just sort of moved it like sort of >> Well, I think because I think my voice is not a voice he's used to hearing in his home, that it kind of startled him.

[00:38:12]>> I mean, that this wasn't the first time you were there, basically.

[00:38:16]Right? This wasn't the first time you were there.

[00:38:19]>> Oh, no, I've been to their house.

[00:38:20]>> Right. Okay.

[00:38:21]Uh right, he may just not have recognized it as absolute today. All right. And and you said you couldn't hear Michael saying anything? No.

[00:38:30]>> No, I can't I don't recall if Michael said anything.

[00:38:33]>> Okay. When When after you tapped him on the shoulder, he just let go and got up?

[00:38:38]>> No. He looked back at Michael. Dave said something to Michael.

[00:38:43]And then he got up and went to the garage.

[00:38:45]>> And you said you followed him?

[00:38:47]>> I did follow him.

[00:38:48]>> What were you doing?

[00:38:49]>> I just got up and followed right behind Dave. Dave went left to the uh utility room. He went left to the garage and I went straight and grabbed the granddaughter.

[00:38:59]>> That is it? Okay, so I'm just trying to understand why you didn't follow him then.

[00:39:03]So we could hide.

[00:39:04]>> And left the granddaughter with >> The granddaughter wasn't in the garage.

[00:39:08]I didn't follow him to the garage. I just got up and followed him. I guess I don't know. I I didn't reason I was making sure he wasn't going to come back to hurt his son or come back that way. I wanted to make sure he was out of the out of the area. And Sophie, her granddaughter, was by the front door and I My goal was to get her out of the house.

[00:39:31]>> Did Did you not recall the cops?

[00:39:33]>> I did.

[00:39:34]>> Oh.

[00:39:35]>> Jessica.

[00:39:36]>> Okay. And do you know at what point the cops got Well, let me rephrase that. Do the Do you know if the cops were called before or after you went over there?

[00:39:45]>> I'm assuming that they were called while I was heading over there cuz Jessica was on the phone um when I got there.

[00:39:57]>> Did you leave before the cops arrived?

[00:40:00]>> I did.

[00:40:01]>> Okay.

[00:40:01]And then did the cops come to your house to talk to you or bring >> The um state police did.

[00:40:08]>> So it seems like you were the state or the cops from the state police. Did you ever talk to local police?

[00:40:15]>> Um I did, but only I just went out there once all the ambulances and stuff showed or the ambulance showed up and all the other police officers showed up with the lights on and stuff. I went out there to see what was going on and an officer said that they would get back to us.

[00:40:32]>> Okay. Did you Do you know whether anyone got in the ambulance?

[00:40:36]>> I I don't. I stayed in my house with my blinds shut and took care of Sophie >> Okay.

[00:40:43]>> until her aunt came and got her.

[00:40:46]>> Okay.

[00:40:46]>> Nothing further. Thank you. Any other questions? You can step down, ma'am.

[00:40:50]Thank you. Call your next witness.

[00:40:53]Yes, you may be excused. Are they out there, John?

[00:40:56]>> I don't know, sir.

[00:40:57]>> Next witness.

[00:40:57]>> What is he talking about? We're waiting for John.

[00:41:00]>> Well, get Mr. Crawford in here. Where did he go again?

[00:41:06]>> Your Honor, may I call the next >> No, not yet. I'm going to take an arraignment real quick.

[00:41:10]>> Can I go uh forward?

[00:41:12]>> Yes.