Career
Sometime during 1820"s, they moved to Trigg County, Kentucky and lived in the home of Crawford"s brother Cornelius. Sometime later, Lavinia and Crawford eventually settled in Arkansas. They had at least two children, John (b 1811), and Minerva (b 1820).
Lavinia and Crawford were arrested for the murder of Jonathan Selby, who lived near Fayetteville and allegedly kept large sums of money at his residence.
Crawford Burnett"s attorney made a motion before Crawford"s trial to be dismissed as his attorney. This motion was granted.
During Lavinia"s trial, a motion to omit the testimony of one Hardin Sharp, a relative of Lavinia"s, was denied. The motion was brought on behalf of Lavinia"s attorney because it was said that Hardin was an accomplice to the murder.
Lavinia and Crawford were sentenced to death in October 1845.
Their hangings were reportedly well attended. The Prosecutor was Alfred Burton Greenwood. The defense attorneys were, Isaac Strain, James P. Neal and Isaac Murphy.
Minerva Burnett is said to have moved to Texas after the trial and hanging.
