A Crawford County jury has convicted Shawn Cranston of first-degree murder and murder of an unborn child for the brutal killing of 23-year-old Rebekah Byler, who was six months pregnant, in her Sparta Township home in February 2024.

After four days of testimony, the jury found Cranston guilty of:

    •First-degree murder

   •Second-degree murder of an unborn child

   •Related charges

Cranston will spend the rest of his life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for July 28.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Cranston targeted Byler’s home for burglary.

Upon encountering her alone, he fatally shot her in the head and inflicted sharp force injuries to her neck.

Key evidence included:

   •A glove fragment with Cranston’s DNA found at the scene

   •Shoe prints and tire treads matching Cranston’s shoes and vehicle

   •GPS data placing Cranston at the Byler residence at the time of the murder

Byler’s husband discovered her body after returning home with a family friend. Their two young children, who were home at the time, were found unharmed in another room.

Attorney General Dave Sunday called the crime “heinous,” emphasizing that Cranston violated the sanctity of the victim’s home.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Deputy Attorney General Kevin Scheibel.

Cranston, a truck driver from Corry, had been held without bond since his arrest in March 2024.

The jury’s verdict follows months of investigation and court proceedings, including testimony from witnesses who saw Cranston’s vehicle at the scene and forensic evidence directly linking him to the crime.

Cranston faces a mandatory life sentence for the murder convictions.