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Exford Receives Maximum Sentence in Lewis County
Court Friday on Murder and Arson Charges
Published: April 22, 2022 at
11:00 a.m.
By: Nick Altmire
Lowville, NY- Shawn L. Exford
was back in Lewis County Court this morning for sentencing, after a Lewis
County jury returned guilty verdicts on March 17th on all 13 counts
contained in an indictment against Exford following 8 days
of trial testimony.
Exford is
convicted of starting the fatal fire at 7525 South State Street in Lowville
on the night of November 30, 2019, killing Catherine Crego and Saratina Kilbourne.
Six individuals escaped the fire, with Exford convicted of six counts of
first-degree reckless endangerment, in addition to the four counts of
second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and one count of
second-degree arson.
Judge Daniel R. King
imposed the following sentences on Friday morning:
Count 1: Arson
(first-degree)- 25 years to life in State prison
Count 2: Arson
(first-degree)- 25 years to life (concurrent to count 1)
Count 3: Murder (second-degree)-
25 years to life (concurrent to counts 1 and 2)
Count 4: Murder (second-degree)-
25 years to life (concurrent to count 1-3)
Count 5: Murder (second-degree)-
25 years to life (concurrent to counts 1-4)
Count 6: Murder (second-degree)-
25 years to life (concurrent to counts 1-5)
Count 7- Arson (second-degree)-
25 years in State prison/5 years post-release parole (concurrent to counts
1-6)
Count 8- Reckless
Endangerment (first-degree)- 3 ½ to 7 years in State prison (concurrent to
counts 1-7)
Count 9- Reckless
Endangerment (first-degree)- 3 ½ to 7 years in State prison (concurrent to
counts 1-8)
Count 10-
Reckless Endangerment (first-degree)- 3 ½ to 7 years in State prison
(concurrent to counts 1-9)
Count 11-
Reckless Endangerment (first-degree)- 3 ½ to 7 years in State prison
(concurrent to counts 1-10)
Count 12-
Reckless Endangerment (first-degree)- 3 ½ to 7 years in State prison
(concurrent to counts 1-11)
Count 13-
Reckless Endangerment (first-degree)- 3 ½ to 7 years in State prison
(concurrent to counts 1-12)
This was the
harshest sentence available by law. In addition, Exford was ordered to pay
a $5,000 fine (the maximum allowed) and $375 in court fees.
Prior to the
sentencing, the court heard from two family members of victim Catherine Crego, in addition to a statement from survivor Brian Mushtare read by lead prosecutor on the case Caleb Petzoldt. Mr. Petzoldt and
defense attorney John Hallett also made statements to the court, in
addition to Exford. Judge King told Exford prior to reading the sentences
that his failure to accept any responsibility for the night in question and
failure to express any remorse factored into his decision on determining
the length of the sentence.
Exford has
30-days to appeal his conviction.
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