Four plead not guilty to deadly beating

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Four Prairie Grove residents facing murder charges related to the death of 48-year-old Ronnie Lee Bradley pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Anthony Allen Swinford, 35, and Timothy William Swinford, 37, both of 16296 Elgin Road in Prairie Grove, along with Heather Carlene Swain and James Patton, both 35, of 17191 Edwards Road in Prairie Grove, face felony charges in connection with accomplice to capital murder and kidnapping.

Trial was set for April 2. All four were denied bond.

The four face either life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if convicted on the accomplice to capital murder charges and 10 to 40 years or life on the kidnapping charges. There are also sentencing enhancements for being habitual offenders and engaging in criminal group activity.

Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case.