FAYETTEVILLE — A second Prairie Grove brother has pleaded guilty to his part 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 in the driveway of 17409 Four Corners Road, near the intersection of Greasy Valley Road 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 at the Arkansas Department of Correction 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.
“Mr. Swinford, I’ll tell you what I told your brother when he came through here,” Storey said. “This was a brutal murder, it was senseless, but it’s a situation I see all too often, the use and misuse of illegal drugs.”
Anthony Swinford pleaded guilty last month to his role in Bradley’s killing and was sentenced to two consecutive 40-year terms at the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Prosecutor John Threet said the plea deal with Timothy Swinford reflects his level of involvement in the beating death.
“It was a result of speaking with the victim’s family and coming up with something commiserate with his level of culpability and involvement. There was a difference between the two brothers,” Threet said. “There was enough culpability to have them both convicted as accomplices.”
Two defendants remain in the case, Heather Swain and James Patton. Swain, 36, and Patton, 35, are charged with accomplice to capital murder and kidnapping.
Prosecutors recently announced they aren't seeking the death penalty against the two. Swain and Patton face 10 to 40 years or life in prison if convicted of the capital murder charge. They also face 10 to 40 years or life on the related kidnapping charges.
Sentencing enhancements are also possible for being habitual offenders and engaging in criminal group activity. Swain faces an additional charge of tampering with evidence, and, if convicted, faces up to six years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Swain has a hearing on all pending motions set for Jan. 3.
Both are being held without bond in the Washington County Detention Center.
Anthony Swinford told investigators he beat Bradley and left his body in the driveway, according to the report.
He identified Swain, Patton and Timothy Swinford as accomplices.
Anthony Swinford said the four beat Bradley repeatedly at different places across southwest Washington County.