[StBernard] Cops: Man confessed to St. Bernard murder to cover for cousin

[Westley Annis]

Cops: Man confessed to St. Bernard murder to cover for cousin
Posted by St. Bernard bureau July 03, 2007 4:11PM
St. Bernard bureau

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that a man who
confessed to stabbing another man to death last month really didn't do it. 


Merlin Brown, 20, of Poydras, confessed to cover for his cousin, authorities
said, and the second-degree murder charge against him will be dropped.
Authorities said he was to be released from custody. 

Now, investigators are searching for Brown's cousin, 29-year-old William J.
Crawford Jr., of the St. Bernard community, who will be booked with
second-degree murder when he is caught. 

The June 15 stabbing in Poydras was the first murder in St. Bernard Parish
in nearly two years. A witness told investigators that Frederick Luwisch VI,
19, of the St. Bernard community, was stabbed to death by Brown after
arguing with another man over a woman. 

Brown then confessed, authorities said. 

But during their investigation, deputies found two other witnesses who gave
statements that contradicted Brown's statements to authorities. The
statements by these witnesses led investigators to Crawford. 

During another round of questioning, Brown admitted that he confessed to the
homicide to cover for Crawford. He said he feared his cousin.

The Sheriff's Office has asked that anyone with information on Crawford's
whereabouts call (504) 278-7630 or (504) 271-2501.