FAYETTEVILLE - A second brother from Prairie Grove has pleaded guilty for his role in the December 2012 murder of Ronnie Lee Bradley outside Prairie Grove.
Bradley, 48, was severely beaten. Bradley’s body was discovered the morning of Dec. 27, 2012, in rural southwest Washington County.
Timothy William Swinford, 37, pleaded guilty Friday morning in Washington County Circuit Court to being an accomplice to first-degree murder and kidnapping. The plea bargain allowed Swinford to avoid the death penalty.
Circuit Judge William Storey sentenced Swinford to 80 years in prison with 30 years suspended. Swinford will have to serve 35 years before becoming eligible for parole. He was given credit for 360 days jail time served.
Anthony Swinford pleaded guilty last month to his role in Bradley’s killing and was sentenced to two consecutive 40-year terms.
Prosecutor John Threet said the plea deal with Timothy Swinford reflects his level of involvement in the beating death.
The remaining two defendants in the case - Heather Swain, 36, and James Patton, 35 - are charged with accomplice to capital murder and kidnapping.
Swain has a hearing on all pending motions set for Jan. 3.
Both are being held without bail in the Washington County jail.
Arkansas, Pages 13 on 12/24/2013