Ryan James Lindsey is set to go on trial facing the death penalty September 14 for his alleged role in the murder of then 35-year-old Cody Stradford in 2020.
A hearing was held in Baxter County Circuit Court/Criminal Division Wednesday. The defense announced it would not challenge the results of psychological evaluations that showed the 33-year-old Lindsey fit to proceed in his case.
There were also discussions on motions the defense has filed, including several that attack the death penalty as unconstitutional.
Lindsey’s final pre-trial appearance is set for June 8. Circuit Judge Andrew Bailey said he would entertain requests for additional appearances if they were needed.
During his appearance for the February 4 hearing, Lindsey sat at the defense table. He was wearing a “stun belt” and prosecutors have requested that he wear the device during the trial because of his record of violent outbursts. In documents filed with the court, the prosecution has argued that Lindsey’s record of “misbehavior” required the use of the belt to avoid incidents and for the safety of court personnel and the public.
Stun belts are used by law enforcement in the U.S. for restraint of prisoners in various situations, including courtroom appearances. The belts can be concealed under clothing. The state has argued the belt is not a restraint as are handcuffs and leg chains and would not violate Lindsey’s constitutional rights not to appear before a jury in prison uniforms or with visible shackles.
During the time he has been an inmate in the Baxter County Detention Center, Lindsey has picked up new charges for causing disturbances, attacking several members of the jail staff, destroying equipment in the detention center and having contraband items in his cell, including a razorblade.
Lindsey, who is heavily tattooed, appeared much thinner than in past court sessions.
At one point during the February 4 hearing, the courtroom was cleared except for court personnel, law enforcement officers, Lindsey and his attorney. The lawyer representing Lindsey said the defense wanted to get “some things on the record under seal” and that Prosecutor David Ethredge had agreed to the request.
THE MURDER
On December 16, 2020, Stradford’s body was found in his burned-out vehicle just off old Arkana Road south of Mountain Home.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the car appeared to have been at the location for days.
Lindsey and three others are charged with Stradford’s murder. Only Lindsey and 47-year-old Allison Cunningham are facing the death penalty.
Stradford was allegedly lured to a residence along Cresswell Drive in Mountain Home. According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly after Stradford entered what was described as a walkout basement, Lindsey and 43-year-old Skylar Brazil began beating him.
His body was found in the burned-out vehicle several days after the violent and ultimately deadly encounter at the Cresswell Drive residence.
The incident reports on the case do not set out a clearly defined motive for the murder. It does appear that those who attacked Stradford could have been making accusations of some sort against him.
At one point during the attack, Stradford is reported to have been overheard saying, “No, I did not do that.”
Since the Stradford death, Brazil has been charged with rape in Benton County. He is being held in the Benton County Detention Center. His bond in the rape case is set at one-million-dollars.
Baxter County has a hold on him.
THE OTHERS INVOLVED
Of the four people involved in the Stradford murder, only 40-year-old Ashley Hendricks is free on bond.
Cunningham, Brazil and Hendricks are due to appear for a status hearing in their Baxter County cases on June 22. Brazil’s jury trial on the rape case in Benton County is set for May 5, according to the current schedule.
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