Appeal hearing set for man convicted in murder of Rowan Sweeney

Brandon Crump

A man convicted of being the triggerman in the deadly home invasion that left a four-year-old Struthers boy dead has a hearing scheduled for an appeal in his case.

According to the release, the Seventh District Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the case of State of Ohio v. Brandon Lee Crump, Jr. at 9 a.m. on July 9.

In July 2024, Crump was sentenced to more than 50 years to life in prison for his role in the killing of Rowan Sweeney. The charges against him included aggravated murder, attempted murder, felonious assault and robbery.

The shooting death happened during the early morning hours in September 2020 when Andre McCoy coordinated a robbery after victim Yarnell Green showed off COVID-19 relief money he had received.

Crump's lawyers filed for the appeal in September 2024.

A brief detailing the circumstances for the appeal was released in January and cited possible errors made during the trial process.

The alleged errors include:

• Excessive gruesome photographs
• Insufficient indictment
• Insufficient evidence for conspiracy conviction
• Improper admission of "other acts" evidence
• Verdict against the manifest weight of the evidence
• Erroneous sentencing

Two other men, Andre McCoy and Kimonie Bryant, were also convicted of charges connected to the deadly robbery.