The murder trial of Ryan James Lindsey entered its third day Wednesday, featuring testimony that appeared to challenge central aspects of the prosecution's narrative. Lindsey, 33, is accused of the late-2020 murder of 35-year-old Cody Stradford, whose body was found in a burned Dodge Charger.
Testifying for the prosecution, Skyler Brazil, a 43-year-old co-defendant in the case, described events leading up to Stradford’s death but contested allegations that the victim was beaten in the basement of Brazil’s home on Cresswell Drive in Baxter County. Instead, Brazil characterized the confrontation as a "boxing match" between himself and Stradford, claiming Stradford left the basement "on his own two feet" after sustaining a bloodied nose.
This testimony contradicted statements from young witnesses, ages 12 to 17, who told investigators they saw both Brazil and Lindsey attacking Stradford in the basement and heard Stradford pleading for the assault to end. According to court records, the attack allegedly lasted nearly an hour, leaving the basement bloodstained.
During cross-examination by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kerry Chism, Brazil acknowledged that Lindsey later confessed to shooting Stradford and burning his body. Brazil testified Lindsey made the admission while the two were serving prison sentences in 2021. He quoted Lindsey as saying, "I had to finish him," but Brazil could not explain why Lindsey believed the killing was necessary.
Court testimony revealed that, following the alleged basement fight, Lindsey and another co-defendant, 47-year-old Allison Cunningham, reportedly transported Stradford to a remote location, where Lindsey shot him and set his body ablaze in the Dodge Charger. The two then returned to the Cresswell Drive residence two to three hours later, according to Brazil.
Multiple reasons for the murder were presented in court. Dion Brazil, Skyler Brazil’s son, testified that his father claimed Stradford was killed because he had raped Ashley Hendricks. However, Hendricks denied this, saying the group had considered fabricating allegations against Stradford to protect children in the house from being involved. Hendricks testified she volunteered to assume the role of a victim in these allegations to safeguard the children.
Baxter County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Scott Thrasher outlined the progression of the case from a missing persons report to a murder investigation. Wade Britt, a witness who discovered Stradford’s burned-out Dodge Charger, described finding the vehicle after his curiosity about the area led him to walk down a small road, where he saw what appeared to be human remains in the driver’s seat. Having experience working in a funeral home, Britt said he was certain the remains were human and alerted authorities.
Investigator Brad Hurst also testified about the crime scene, noting that a rag had been stuffed into the car’s fuel pipe and ignited, causing the fire that destroyed both the vehicle and Stradford’s body.
Skyler Brazil, who is currently incarcerated on unrelated rape charges in Benton County, was transported to Baxter County to testify in Lindsey’s trial. His rape trial is scheduled for October 6, with bond set at $1 million.
Lindsey, dressed in civilian clothing, listened quietly throughout the proceedings, occasionally consulting with his attorneys. The trial, which began Monday, continues as the prosecution presents its case against Lindsey and three other individuals charged in Stradford’s death.