Trial begins for woman accused in 'evil spirits' case

HAMILTON, USA — The granddaughter of an elderly Middletown woman allegedly abused by her caregiver last year testified Monday, Jan. 26, that the caregiver believed "evil spirits" were in the house.

Abena Afrakomah, a 57-year-old a Ghana native, cared for Josephine Crawford for a couple years prior to April 29, when she allegedly assaulted Crawford, then 74, causing scratches on her face and bruising on her arm.

During the first day of Afrakomah's assault trial before Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth, Valerie Asia Lumives said her grandmother told her the assault occurred because Afakomah said she was having sex with evil spirits.

"I said she (Afrakomah) is saying you are having sex with evil spirits. And she (Crawford) said yes," Asia Lumives said. In addition to twisting her arm and squeezing her cheeks, Crawford said Afrakomah also pinched her groin, according to Asia Lumives.

Crawford was suffering from cancer and a stroke. She needed assistance to walk and communicated through writing.

Crawford, who had owned and operated Dixie Heights Beauty Shop and the Iron City Inn, died in November at Atrium Medical Center in Middletown. Afrakomah is not charged with causing her death, but is facing up to 18 months in jail if convicted of the assault.

Afrakomah had mentioned evil spirts before, Asia Lumives said, noting the woman told her Crawford's clothing was being moved by spirits and outside lights activated by a motion detector were also the result of evil spirits.

She said she thought the comments were part of cultural differences and gave Afrakomah reasonable explanations for what she perceived was the work of spirits. At Afrakomah's urging, Asia Lumives said, Crawford's house was blessed by a priest.

Defense attorney Larry Keller said during opening statements an anthropologist who is an expert in Africa and its customs will testify.

"Cultural values or lack of cultural values will come into play," Keller said.