Larry Stone Fist Crabtree, 77, died in Portsmouth, Ohio on July 4, 2000. Initial reports said the circumstances of his death were unclear, prompting a formal investigation to determine what happened and to assemble a timeline of events surrounding his death.

Authorities interviewed several people and collected physical evidence as they worked through the case. Investigators concluded the death was not accidental and identified a person of interest who was arrested and questioned. Charging decisions were made and the matter proceeded to trial, where evidence and witness testimony were presented to a jury.

The verdict and sentence were reached at the end of the trial.