Judge grants delay in Shawn Cranston murder trial, now scheduled for March 2025

MEADVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – The trial of Shawn C. Cranston – charged with the murder of Amish mother Rebekah Byler and her unborn child in February 2024 – has been postponed to March 2025.

Cranston’s attorney, Louis W. Emmi, requested a continuance, citing extensive discovery material that he said still requires review.

The defense argued it needed more time to consider the scope of evidence and digital records in the case. Emmi also raised concerns about difficulties communicating with Cranston due to a lack of privacy in prison, which further delayed trial preparation.

According to court documents, Crawford County District Attorney Paula DiGiacomo agreed to the delay.

Judge Francis J. Schultz granted the motion in a scheduling order issued on October 4, 2024. The trial is now scheduled for the March 2025 sentencing period, with jury selection beginning March 11.

The process is expected to take five to seven days.

In his order, Judge Schultz asked both parties to submit their jury selection questions and pretrial motions by February 21, 2025.

Schultz’s order said no further continuances would be granted absent exceptional circumstances.

According to court documents, 52 years old Shawn C Cranstonof Corry, was arrested March 2, 2024, on suspicion of Byler’s murder.

He is charged with criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary and criminal trespass.

– Criminal Murder, Crime 1
– Criminal murder of an unborn child, felony 1
– burglary – overnight stays; Person present, bodily harm, crime 1
– Criminal Trespass-Enter Structure, Felony 3

He remains incarcerated in the Crawford County Jail and has been denied bail.

Case background:

According to a February 26 release from Trooper Schick, troopers assigned to Troop E – Corry responded to the scene on Fish Flats Road in Sparta Township, Crawford County, at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Monday, February 26, 2024, where they found Rebekah Byler found died in her home.

The young mother, who was six months pregnant with her third child, was discovered in the main living area by her husband and a family friend as they returned to the house. Byler’s two young children were present when she arrived.

According to court documents, Rebekah Byler suffered a laceration to the front of her neck, a “head wound” to the head and a gunshot wound to the head.