Woman Jailed for Murder After Estranged Husband Threatens to Hurt Her Family and Burn Down House

LaToya Crabbe is a pharmacologist with a PhD and a lieutenant commander in the United States Public Health Service (PHS). She has dedicated her life to helping underserved areas such as Indian Reservations. She was also married to Curtis Crabbe, with whom she fell in love.

Their happy life would take a turn when LaToya accused Curtis of becoming abusive. Although Curtis did not have any charges for domestic abuse, he did serve a 15-year suspended sentence for armed robbery and other crimes. LaToya needed a way out and sought a divorce, fearing for herself and her children’s safety. According to text messages, after LaToya left her husband, he threatened to hurt her and her family and burn down her mother’s home. LaToya, fearful for her and her family’s lives, got a gun.

“Stop f—— with me and answer my call or I’m going to go to the house and punch your mother in the face,” Cutis texted LaToya two days before showing up unannounced. “Toya, I’m not playing around. A will hurt everyone in that house then set it on fire. Answer my mother—— call right now or I’m headed to the crib.”

A few nights later, Curtis showed up unannounced at LaToya’s parents’ house, where the woman had been staying with her kids. The two would get into an argument. LaToya claimed that Curtis became upset, and she was in fear for her life. She had drawn her gun and shot Curtis four times, killing him. Her mother, who was in the house, called the police. LaToya claimed self-defense, but Manassas, Virginia Prosecutor D. Burke Walker had other ideas and charged the woman with second-degree murder.

Ever since her arrest, she has been held without bond. Prosecutors claim that there was no evidence of a struggle. They also say they believe she reloaded her handgun, a claim that the defense vehemently denies. She had a handgun that was 7+1. Police found four rounds still in the magazine, and since Curtis was shot four times, they claimed that she must have reloaded a single round because the magazine only had a seven-round capacity.

LaToya’s lawyer, David Daugherty, disputes that LaToya reloaded the gun. Judge Kimberly Irving believed the prosecutor and denied the bond. Her decision leaned heavily on the idea that LaToya reloaded the firearm. Another theory is that she topped off her gun like millions of other gun owners. It should be noted that 7+1 means a firearm can hold eight rounds. To some, that makes more sense than reloading a single round and not firing it.

LaToya’s mother and friends that AmmoLand News has spoken to, claim that the woman was in fear for her life. The friends also claim that the prosecutors are misleading the public about the woman’s character. The family claims that LaToya wants to return to her family and work. They state that she is not a danger to the public and is not a flight risk, pointing out that she would never leave her kids.

LaToya’s family has organized a fundraising effort to help defend the woman. Lawsuits are costly, especially for a single mother. LaToya’s children, ages 4, 3, and 2, are currently staying with LaToya’s mother. They believe she is on a business trip and does not know she is in jail.

LaToya’s mother has set up a GoFundMe for her legal defense. The goal is $35,000, just a fraction of the cost of her defense. The fundraiser has raised just over $24,000.

About John Crump

Mr. Crump is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people from all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons, follow him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.