Crawford ordered held without bail

Heather Crawford, charged with first-degree murder of a 22-month-old child, was held without bail Monday morning at her arraignment hearing in magistrate court before Judge Daniel McGee.

After being read her rights, Crawford asked McGee to hold the application for a public defender, because she wants to get her own attorney. McGee made sure to emphasize the need for Crawford to contact the court if she is unable to find her own attorney.

Keisha Oxendine, Shoshone County prosecutor, said although first-degree murder is punishable by death, the state has not determined whether to seek the death penalty. She said the circumstances of the case do support premeditation.

Oxendine said based on the representation of Crawford's prior criminal history, she has shown compliance to court orders. The bigger issue, however, is Crawford could be a flight risk and a danger to herself and others with the death penalty as a possible outcome, Oxendine said. She said a previous comment made by Crawford indicated these risks.

Crawford ended the hearing with no questions and was remanded to custody.

A motion was granted by Judge McGee to seal the affidavit of the case until after the preliminary hearing. The order states the affidavit will be kept sealed to "prevent the disclosure of investigative techniques and procedures, and to allow the officers to conduct follow-up investigation."

It also states that the affidavit contains the names of juveniles and medical information adding to the justification of sealing the document.

The official written complaint, made by Oxendine, states Crawford killed "E.W., ... by suffocation and/or another manner resulting in the deprivation of oxygen to the child."

Crawford's next hearing has not yet been scheduled, but will be set within 14 days of Monday's arraignment.