Man accused of killing estranged husband makes initial court appearance

He's charged with arson, murder for house fire that prosecutors say he set intentionally.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Craig Crawford, makes a first appearance via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail into Judge Heather Brereton's courtroom in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Judge Heather Brereton speaks to Craig Crawford via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Crawford's defense lawyers Jim Bradshaw, left, and Richard Mauro are present.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Judge Heather Brereton speaks to Craig Crawford via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Crawford's defense lawyers Ann Marie Taliaferrro, Jim Bradshaw and Richard Mauro are present.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Craig Crawford, makes a first appearance via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail into Judge Heather Brereton's courtroom in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month.

Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune

People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City.

Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune

People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City.

Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune

People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City.

Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune

People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City.

Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune

People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City.

Rick Egan | Tribune File Photo

John W. Williams stands in front of the Salt Lake Hardware Co. builiding on July 23, 1990.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Judge Heather Brereton speaks to Craig Crawford via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Crawford's defense lawyers Jim Bradshaw, left, and Richard Mauro are present.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune
Judge Heather Brereton speaks to Craig Crawford via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Crawford's defense lawyers Ann Marie Taliaferrro, Jim Bradshaw and Richard Mauro are present.

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Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Craig Crawford, makes a first appearance via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail into Judge Heather Brereton's courtroom in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Judge Heather Brereton speaks to Craig Crawford via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Crawford's defense lawyers Jim Bradshaw, left, and Richard Mauro are present. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Judge Heather Brereton speaks to Craig Crawford via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Crawford's defense lawyers Ann Marie Taliaferrro, Jim Bradshaw and Richard Mauro are present. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Craig Crawford, makes a first appearance via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail into Judge Heather Brereton's courtroom in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City. Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City. Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City. Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City. Lennie Mahler | The Salt Lake Tribune People survey damage after a suspicious overnight house fire near the Capitol building took the life of John Williams, 72, a partner in Gastronomy, Inc., which owns restaurants in Salt Lake City. Rick Egan | Tribune File Photo John W. Williams stands in front of the Salt Lake Hardware Co. builiding on July 23, 1990. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Judge Heather Brereton speaks to Craig Crawford via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Crawford's defense lawyers Jim Bradshaw, left, and Richard Mauro are present. Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Judge Heather Brereton speaks to Craig Crawford via television monitor from the Salt Lake County jail in Salt Lake City Monday June 13. He is charged with first-degree felony murder for allegedly killing his estranged husband -- well-known Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams -- in a house fire last month. Crawford's defense lawyers Ann Marie Taliaferrro, Jim Bradshaw and Richard Mauro are present.

By Jennifer Dobner The Salt Lake Tribune

· June 14, 2016 12:01 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The man accused in the arson fire last month that killed his estranged husband — Salt Lake City restaurateur John Williams — made an initial court appearance Monday.

Craig Crawford, 47, appeared via a video feed from the Salt Lake County Jail for a hearing that lasted less than five minutes before 3rd District Judge Heather Brereton.

Crawford is charged with first-degree felony aggravated murder — a potential capital offense — and first-degree felony aggravated arson.

His attorney, Jim Bradshaw, waived a formal reading of the charges and told the judge that a July 1 scheduling hearing had already been set in the case.

Williams, 72, was found dead inside his home, near 600 North and East Capitol Street (200 East), after a May 22 fire.

Crawford and Williams were divorcing and court papers show Williams was in the process of evicting his spouse.

Prosecutors say Crawford intentionally set the home on fire.

Some witnesses told police that during the blaze, they saw a man matching Crawford's description using a hose on plants and trees near the house, but that he never turned the water toward the burning house, charges state.

Salt Lake City firefighters have said they heard Williams cry for help from a fourth-floor bedroom, but they were unable to reach him because a staircase between the third and fourth floors of the home had collapsed.

A Utah medical examiner later determined Williams died from smoke inhalation.

Police say Crawford never reported the fire to emergency personnel, although he called 911 twice before hanging up at 2:57 a.m. and at 3:30 a.m.

A 911 operator called the number back after the first call, but the call went to voicemail.

Crawford has been held without bail at the jail since his arrest May 22.

In court papers, police say that in the hours before he died, Williams told a dinner companion he was afraid of Crawford.

Williams was a partner in Gastronomy Inc., a business that owns Market Street Grill, the New Yorker and other restaurants and property in the Salt Lake City area.

Damage to Williams' home was estimated at $750,000.

jdobner@sltrib.com