Supreme Court Affirms Rex Allan Krebs Conviction and Death Penalty
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. - The California Supreme Court issued a written opinion that affirmed the conviction and death penalty sentence in the case of Rex Allan Krebs for his horrific rape and murder of Rachel Newhouse in 1998 and Aundria Crawford in 1999.
“We are grateful for the finality of the long awaited Supreme Court decision affirming the conviction and the death penalty for Rex Allan Krebs. Mr. Krebs surrendered his right to live when he senselessly raped and murdered these two young women and the People of California have continuously affirmed their support for the death penalty," said District Attorney Dan Dow.
Rachel Newhouse, a student at California Poly State University at San Luis Obispo, was last seen on November 12, 1998, in Tortilla Flats, a restaurant and bar in San Luis Obispo.
Blood drops were found an hour or so later on the Jennifer Street Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that Newhouse would have crossed if she walked home from Tortilla Flats. Samples taken from blood recovered from the bridge and a nearby parking lot matched blood samples from Newhouse’s parents.
Aundria Crawford, a student at Cuesta College who lived in San Luis Obispo, spoke with a friend by telephone until 2:46 a.m. on March 11, 1999 Crawford missed an appointment and failed to respond to texts on March 11, and an investigation begun the next day failed to locate her.
Defendant’s parole officer, David Zaragoza, thought there were similarities between the description in a newspaper article of the abduction of Crawford and defendant’s prior crimes.
Late into the investigation, detectives asked Krebs if he was responsible for the disappearance and death of Newhouse and Crawford. He responded, “yes.”
District Attorney Dan Dow went on to say it is now time for Governor Newsom to implement the jury imposed death penalty which is the most appropriate and just punishment for Mr. Krebs’ horrific crimes.
The complete Supreme Court decision can be viewed here.
