Man Convicted in 4-Year-Old Rowan Sweeney’s Death Faces Re-Sentencing Hearing Today

Man Convicted in 4-Year-Old Rowan Sweeney’s Death Faces Re-Sentencing Hearing Today

YOUNGSTOWN — Brandon Crump, 26, convicted in the 2021 shooting death of 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney, is set to appear today at the Mahoning County Jail for a re-sentencing hearing before Judge Anthony D’Apolito.

The hearing follows a partial re-sentencing order from the Seventh Appellate District Court of Appeals. While the court upheld Crump’s convictions, including aggravated murder, it ruled that his conspiracy conviction should be merged with aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary charges. The adjustment is procedural and is not expected to change the overall length of his prison term.

Crump was originally sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 52 to 53 ½ years for his role in the March 2021 home invasion on Perry Street in Struthers, during which he shot four adults and fatally shot Rowan Sweeney, who was asleep on his mother’s lap. The adults survived.

Evidence presented at trial included DNA from a shell casing, cellphone location data, and videos from Crump’s phone. The appeals court rejected his challenges to the evidence, including claims regarding graphic photos and material from an unrelated shooting, finding the convictions were fully supported.

The re-sentencing is expected to reflect the merger of the conspiracy charge with related counts, but the life sentence for Rowan’s tragic death will remain unchanged.