More testimony from arson victims helped prosecutors finish laying the foundation of their criminal case against a former Laurel police chief accused of seeking revenge by setting fires.David Crawford, 70, is charged in 12 separate arson cases spanning six counties and two decades. Four of the 12 fires were allegedly set in Howard County, which is trying the case first, presenting victims, investigators and experts on the eight separate fires in the other counties.| RELATED: Former Laurel police chief charged in multiple arsons since 2011Friday’s court proceedings began with a fire in Charles County and testimony from the homeowner, who told the jury that his truck, garage, siding and more were all destroyed: “I had to get all that replaced.”He was followed by Frederick County fire victim Clark “Bud” Price, who was also asleep when the fire began on his property. He was alerted to the fire by a neighbor. Price said he managed to save the “garage cat” before the smoke got too thick.According to testimony from experts and investigators, the fires in Charles and Frederick counties were just like the other garage fires set before dawn in a driveway using gasoline at the home of someone whose name appeared on a “target list” that Crawford is accused of keeping in the Notes app on his iPhone.Prosecutors claimed part of Crawford’s modus operandi was to insert himself in the victim’s life after the fire. Price told the jury that less than two hours after he posted about the fire on a private Facebook group for retired police, Crawford popped up in his direct messages asking for photos of the fire.| VIDEO BELOW: Testimony from arson suspect’s family suggest fires set out of revengePrice said Crawford wrote “scary stuff,” like, “As they (say), it’s better to be lucky than good. You are both. Cheers.”Prosecutors called Crawford a serial, revenge arsonist who set the fires since 2011 to get back at nine victims he didn’t get along with or felt snubbed by.Price was Crawford’s boss when they worked together at the Prince George’s County Police Department. He told the jury he could have promoted Crawford twice but wouldn’t do it.| VIDEO BELOW: State: Evidence will show former police chief responsible for 12 arsons”I could see he was disappointed and angry over it,” Price said on the stand.Crawford’s defense questioned that, saying that happened in 1998. The defense contended the state’s whole case is circumstantial, and there is no physical evidence linking Crawford to the crimes — no DNA, no hair, fiber or fingerprint matches.By the end of proceedings on Friday, the state finished introducing evidence of the eight fires outside Howard County. Prosecutors said the jury will hear from the Howard County fire victims when the trial resumes next week.Crawford has been held without bail since his arrest two years ago.| VIDEO BELOW: Bond denied for former Laurel police chief charged in multiple arsons
More testimony from arson victims helped prosecutors finish laying the foundation of their criminal case against a former Laurel police chief accused of seeking revenge by setting fires.
David Crawford, 70, is charged in 12 separate arson cases spanning six counties and two decades. Four of the 12 fires were allegedly set in Howard County, which is trying the case first, presenting victims, investigators and experts on the eight separate fires in the other counties.
| RELATED: Former Laurel police chief charged in multiple arsons since 2011
Friday’s court proceedings began with a fire in Charles County and testimony from the homeowner, who told the jury that his truck, garage, siding and more were all destroyed: “I had to get all that replaced.”
He was followed by Frederick County fire victim Clark “Bud” Price, who was also asleep when the fire began on his property. He was alerted to the fire by a neighbor. Price said he managed to save the “garage cat” before the smoke got too thick.
According to testimony from experts and investigators, the fires in Charles and Frederick counties were just like the other garage fires set before dawn in a driveway using gasoline at the home of someone whose name appeared on a “target list” that Crawford is accused of keeping in the Notes app on his iPhone.
Prosecutors claimed part of Crawford’s modus operandi was to insert himself in the victim’s life after the fire. Price told the jury that less than two hours after he posted about the fire on a private Facebook group for retired police, Crawford popped up in his direct messages asking for photos of the fire.
| VIDEO BELOW: Testimony from arson suspect’s family suggest fires set out of revenge
Price said Crawford wrote “scary stuff,” like, “As they (say), it’s better to be lucky than good. You are both. Cheers.”
Prosecutors called Crawford a serial, revenge arsonist who set the fires since 2011 to get back at nine victims he didn’t get along with or felt snubbed by.
Price was Crawford’s boss when they worked together at the Prince George’s County Police Department. He told the jury he could have promoted Crawford twice but wouldn’t do it.
| VIDEO BELOW: State: Evidence will show former police chief responsible for 12 arsons
“I could see he was disappointed and angry over it,” Price said on the stand.
Crawford’s defense questioned that, saying that happened in 1998. The defense contended the state’s whole case is circumstantial, and there is no physical evidence linking Crawford to the crimes — no DNA, no hair, fiber or fingerprint matches.
By the end of proceedings on Friday, the state finished introducing evidence of the eight fires outside Howard County. Prosecutors said the jury will hear from the Howard County fire victims when the trial resumes next week.
Crawford has been held without bail since his arrest two years ago.
| VIDEO BELOW: Bond denied for former Laurel police chief charged in multiple arsons
