Trial date moved for Corry man accused of killing Amish woman, unborn child in Crawford

MEADVILLE — A Corry man accused of killing a young Amish woman and her unborn child in Crawford County in February won't face trial until early 2025.

The trial for 52-year-old Shawn C. Cranston, which had been scheduled for November, was moved to March, Crawford County District Attorney Paula DiGiacomo said Friday. The trial was moved after Cranston's Pittsburgh lawyer, Louis Emmi, requested a continuance this week. Crawford County Judge Francis J. Schultz granted the continuance in an order issued on Thursday, according to court records.

Cranston will now face trial a little more than a year after the Pennsylvania State Police allege he killed Rebekah A. Byler, 23, in her home on Fish Flats Road in Sparta Township, Crawford County, on Feb. 26. Authorities said Byler was about six months pregnant at the time. Two young children, ages 3 and 2, were also home at the time but were uninjured.

The Pennsylvania State Police charged Cranston on March 2 with criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary and criminal trespass in the killings. Cranston was held for court on all charges following a lengthy preliminary hearing at the Crawford County Judicial Center on March 15.

Authorities allege Cranston went to Byler's residence sometime on the morning of Feb. 26 after Byler's husband left home with others to scout out some possible roofing jobs around the area. Byler's husband found her dead when he returned home later that day, according to testimony at the hearing.

A possible motive in the killing was not revealed by state police or through testimony at the preliminary hearing.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com . Follow him on X @ETNhahn .

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Trial date moved for Corry man accused of killing Amish woman, unborn child in Crawford