Cause of Death in Capital Murder Case Released
By: Amanda Ashley
Updated: January 8, 2013
Heather Swain James Patton
The cause of death has been revealed for the Prairie Grove man found in a driveway. According State Crime Lab, Ronnie Lee Bradley died by strangulation and blunt force trauma.
On December 27th at 8:30a.m., the Washington County Sheriff's Office received a report of a man lying in a driveway at 17409 Four Corners Rd close to the intersection of Greasy Valley Rd in Southwest Washington County.
Deputies said the man was dead when they arrived. Detectives later identified the victim as Bradley, 48, and determined the death to be homicide.
An investigation showed Anthony Swinford, Timothy Swinford, Heather Swain and James Patton were with Bradley prior to his death.
During interviews with the suspects, Swinford told investigators he had beaten Bradley and left him in the driveway. He said Swain, Patton and Timothy Swinford, all of Prairie Grove, had also assaulted the victim.
According to a report, the altercations took place at more than one location. Some of the suspects told investigators that during the beatings Bradley asked them, "Please take me home."
All four face charges of accomplice to capital murder, kidnapping and engaging in violent criminal group activity. Swain, 35, also faces a charge of tampering with physical evidence.
They are being held without bond. Arraignments are set for January 30.
Anthony Swinford Timothy Swinford
Anthony Swinford Timothy Swinford
