The capital murder trial of Ryan James Lindsey, 33, began Tuesday in the Baxter County Circuit Court’s Criminal Division. Lindsey faces the death penalty for his alleged involvement in the 2020 killing of Cody Stradford, who was 35 at the time of his death.
Court records indicate that the case has moved slowly amid numerous delays, including pretrial motions and competency evaluations for the defendant. A selection process for a "death-qualified" jury, which must assess potential jurors’ views on the death penalty, got underway Tuesday. Two groups of prospective jurors have been summoned.
Lindsey is accused of participating in a violent assault on Stradford at a Mountain Home residence on Cresswell Drive in December 2020. Prosecutors allege that Lindsey and 43-year-old Skylar Brazil beat Stradford in a walkout basement after he was lured to the location. Following the attack, Stradford's body was reportedly placed in his vehicle, which was then abandoned and set on fire near Old Arkana Road south of Mountain Home. The probable cause affidavit states the vehicle appeared to have been at the site for several days before it was discovered. Motives for the crime have not been detailed in court documents.
Lindsey is one of four individuals charged in connection with the murder. Both he and 47-year-old Allison Cunningham, who also faces the death penalty, fled to Texas after the killing. They were apprehended and returned to Baxter County. Brazil, a co-defendant in the case, is currently jailed in Benton County on separate rape charges, with a trial on those allegations scheduled for October 6. He is expected to testify in Lindsey’s trial.
The case has seen numerous continuances—at least 12—requested by the defense. Lindsey’s legal representation has also changed multiple times, further delaying proceedings. A mental health evaluation, which defense attorneys requested after noting concerning behavior from Lindsey, added additional delays. Lindsey was ultimately deemed fit to stand trial, and the defense did not contest the findings.
During pretrial filings, the defense sought to suppress certain physical evidence and statements Lindsey made when arrested in Texas. According to court filings, when Texas authorities detained Lindsey, he was seen discarding a firearm into nearby weeds, which was later recovered. Prosecutors argued that Lindsey had an active search waiver on file and that body camera footage showed officers reading him his Miranda rights. The state does not plan to use evidence or statements from the Texas arrest during its main presentation at trial. Both related motions were withdrawn on Monday.
Lindsey, who has been held in the Baxter County Detention Center, appeared in court Monday wearing an inmate uniform but will wear civilian clothing during trial proceedings. The court has authorized the use of a concealed stun belt due to Lindsey’s history of disruptive and violent conduct, including multiple incidents while incarcerated.
Prosecutors plan to call witnesses to detail the events leading to Stradford’s death. Any jury deciding Lindsey’s fate will be tasked with considering the most severe penalty available under Arkansas law.