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By Michael Donoghue
Vermont News First
An ex-New Jersey man, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison last month for a cowardly homicide in Burlington City Hall Park four years ago, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court on Friday to federal gun and drug charges.
Christopher “Mike” Crawford, 37, formerly of Sicklerville, N.J. hid for about a half hour waiting for Brian Rogers, 32, to arrive at the city park before slipping in behind him and shooting him in the back of his head as he sat with his girlfriend about 12:40 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2022, federal officials said.
The shooting, which police believe was drug related, was captured on video and the gun was fired from about six inches away, officials said.
Three days after the shooting Burlington Police stopped a car near Church and College Streets in which Crawford was riding, officers said. They reported they found a loaded .357 magnum revolver and a .380 semi-automatic pistol, as well as 49 grams of crack cocaine, 97 grams of cocaine, 6 grams of methamphetamine, and 3 grams of fentanyl, in Crawford’s backpack and bag.
Police said they also determined Crawford had a pending arrest warrant from New Jersey for failing to appear in court in a cocaine distribution case.
Crawford reportedly struck a joint plea deal that netted him 10 years for the execution homicide and is expected to provide a 5-year consecutive term for his federal case.
The office of State’s Attorney Sarah George reduced the first degree murder charge to second degree murder as part of his plea deal. Crawford’s sentence was 20 years to life with all but 10 years suspended. As of now he is expected to be on probation for life, but a court could always change that.
Superior Court Judge John Pacht, who accepted the plea deal, told Crawford the killing was a “weak act.”
The victim’s family told the court that it wanted a long prison term.
Before the homicide, Crawford was considered a career felon with eight convictions in New Jersey, officials said. He had five felony drug convictions and three felony gun convictions, then-Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan said in court papers in December 2025 after obtaining the federal indictment.
On Friday in federal court, Crawford denied a charge that he knowingly and intentionally possessed more than an ounce of crack cocaine on Sept. 7, 2022. He also pleaded not guilty to carrying a firearm that day while trafficking in illegal drug sale.
The government is seeking the forfeiture of a Sig Sauer .380 semi-automatic pistol, a Smith & Wesson .357 magnum revolver and assorted ammunition, if convicted on either felony count.
Defense lawyer Bridget Grace did not object to the government’s request that he remain in custody.
Federal Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle told Grace the defense would have until Oct. 19 to further investigate the case and file any pre-trial motions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Fuller said she expects the case to be resolved quickly with plea agreement.
Categories: VT Headlines
What is this nonsense from Sarah George and these judges? Put this SOB away for life.
Even “life without parole” means nothing to Sarah George, when she facilitated the release of Gregory Fitzgerald. He pled guilty to first degree murder in the 1994 strangulation death of his wife for life insurance proceeds and was sentenced to life without parole. In 2023 Sarah George invoked “post conviction relief” simply to avoid his lawsuit with the state challenging his sentencing and this violent psychopath walked free.
Unfortunately, a majority of voters in Chittenden County are on board with State’s Attorney Sarah George’s philosophy of completely ignoring the concept of personal responsibility and finding victimhood excuses for antisocial behavior. She is a menace to society in her willful indifference to public safety.
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
Let me get this straight.. a career felon and obvious danger to society moves to liberal Vermont to avoid prosecution and shoots someone in the back of the head at point blank range.. then gets a plea deal from our brilliant states attorney dropping his charge to second degree murder..? And these fools want to put more gun restrictions on law abiding Vermonters? We are truly living in the twilight zone.. this state needs every progressive politician thrown out and replaced by common sense conservatives who actually care about our society..sickening!
Quote from former Chittenden County States Attorney, Frank Murray: “Three strikes and you’re out of society during your peak criminal years. If a violent crime is involved, you’re out for life.”
Of course the obvious question is: after being convicted of murder, why wasn’t he already in prison? But then in Burlington, to be in jail, you have to screw up really bad.
As we continue to celebrate diversity in Vermont, we also celebrate the bouquet of different subcultures that America plays host to and we must understand that different people resolve conflicts in different ways due to their varied life experiences.
Without knowing the complexity of the relationship between these two men and their individual stories, how can we really judge this interplay fairly? Being open, accepting and affirming of all the forms of human interaction is part of celebrating our common humanity. It must make Mayor Emma-Hyphen so proud to know that such meaningful interactions take place just around the corner from her office window. Rock on BTV! Keep it Progressive!
I have lived in Burlington for over 70 years and have been told I’m old school. After reading Rich’s explanation, I am beginning to understand and appreciate the complexity of the underlying issues.
I hope you recognize it as totally satire…
👍 but even more important, it was very well articulated. I think you could have a key role in rationally explaining Emma’s and Sara’s policies.
Why would a career criminal who committed a premeditated murder (drug related no less) that was caught on video even be offered ANY sort of plea deal. What an absolute travesty! 😡Still the fruitcakes in Chittenden County continue to elect a prosecutor (so called) who is more suited to be a social worker.
Burlington is the new ZOOWORLDORDER and if this is not bad enough, wait until no one can afford their fuel and food expenses this winter. This was a case that should of had no plea bargaining and should not be wasting time and money on more trials. Comment from Richard Day.
Maybe Sarah George thought he was sad about something similar to postpartum depression.
Sarah George is a joke. The reason they keep electing her is because they know that she won’t do anything. She has pleaded this guy down to 2nd degree murder when he has a rap sheet a mile long. But right now she is in a trial for the man who shot the 3 Palestine boys. Why is she doing this, could it be to show her supporters that she does prosecute (I use that term lightly) or maybe to save her own a** or even better the 3 boys are from Palestine and she doesn’t want to face that countries wrath if she didn’t take this to trial. I don’t know but it sure looks to me like a double standard and we all know that she picks and chooses who she wants prosecute or let off. This time she pleads down premeditated murder and takes to trial the man who shot 3 boys from another country. What is wrong with this picture. Sarah George is the one who needs to be held accountable. My heart goes out to these families who are affected by her actions and inconsistencies.