Man’s plea averts death term

Swinford pleads guilty in December ’12 fatal beating

FAYETTEVILLE — A Prairie Grove man charged in the December beating death of Ronnie Lee Bradley avoided a possible death sentence last week when he pleaded guilty in Washington County Circuit Court to being an accomplice to first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Anthony Allen Swinford, 35, was sentenced to two consecutive 40-year terms at the Arkansas Department of Correction. He was given credit for 312 days jail time served. Swinford will have to serve 56 years before becoming eligible for parole.

“This is a situation I see all too frequently with people who abuse drugs and alcohol; it’s always tragic,” Circuit Judge William Storey said. “It’s a heavy price to pay for this kind of conduct.”

Prosecutor John Threet said Bradley’s death was senseless.

“That night of drinking and fighting has cost two lives to this point,” Threet said. “One is dead and another is going to die in the pen.”

Swinford wasn’t willing to testify against his co-defendants, Threet said.

“With this plea, he really has no incentive to do that,” Threet said. “I was really more interested in him getting hammered, and he did.”

The agreement requires Swinford to testify consistently with what he has told police if either side calls him to testify in a trial of the co-defendants.

Threet said family members were satisfied with the agreement.

According to an arrest report, Bradley, 48, of Prairie Grove appeared to have been 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.

Anthony Swinford and his brother, Timothy William Swinford, 37; along with Heather Swain, 36; and James Patton, 35, were charged with accomplice to capital murder and kidnapping.

All remaining defendants have a Jan. 13 trial date and 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 kidnapping charges. There also are sentencing enhancements in play 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. All are being held in lieu of bond in the Washington County jail.

Prosecutors haven’t decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case against the remaining defendants.

Anthony Swinford told the judge the four picked up Bradley and a fight started. He beat Bradley and left the body in the driveway where Bradley died of his injuries.

Anthony Swinford identified Swain, Patton and Timothy Swinford as accomplices.

Anthony Swinford said the four beat Bradley repeatedly at different places across southwest Washington County.

Investigators said they think Bradley was killed before his body was dumped.