Photo: Allison June Cunningham
One of the four people suspected of being involved in the murder of 35-year-old Cody Stradford appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday for the purpose of clarifying who will represent her.
During the last several appearances, 42-year-old Allison Cunningham of Mountain Home has told the court arrangements were being made to hire Gary Mitchusson of Forrest City, but he has not filed a formal notice of appearance, and that was beginning to frustrate Circuit Judge John Putman.
When Cunningham appeared Thursday, Judge Putman said, “Something is just not working here. You say you have paid Mr. Mitchusson’s fee and everything is set up, but he is still not formally in the case on your behalf yet.”
The judge took matters into his own hands and called the Forrest City lawyer from the bench to find out if he intended to represent Cunningham. Mitchusson said there were a few details to work out concerning his representation but believed he would be representing the Mountain Home woman. Judge Putman ordered Cunningham and Mitchusson to appear in his court March 25.
Cunningham asked Judge Putman if he would consider lowering her $1 million bond, and he said no. He said discussions such as her request for a bond reduction would come when Cunningham is represented. “I don’t think I need to tell you — but, you really need a lawyer,” Judge Putman told Cunningham.
Cunningham was arrested in Hidalgo County, Texas with another person accused in connection with Stradford’s death, 28-year-old Ryan Lindsey. They were arrested on Dec. 17 last year. She was returned from Texas and booked into the Baxter County Detention Center on Jan. 13.
Photo: Ryan Lindsey
She has entered a not guilty plea to charges of first-degree murder, arson, kidnapping, second-degree battery and possession of a firearm by a felon.
In addition to his charges in Arkansas, Lindsey is facing one filed in Texas of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Because of the Texas charge, Lindsey remains in the Hidalgo County jail.
Arkansas authorities have placed a hold on him.
Prosecutors have not released information on how the four came together and other details of the case. Once Lindsey is back in Arkansas and formally charged, it is expected more details surrounding the murder will be made public.
Stradford’s body was found in a burned-out vehicle on Dec. 16. Baxter County deputies responded to the location just off Old Arkana Road south of Mountain Home.
According to court records, the vehicle appeared to have been at the location for several days.
While Cunningham was being held in the Texas jail, a Mountain Home man, 52-year-old Lawrence Olson, was arrested while in Cunningham’s residence along Robinson Point Road.
Photo: Lawrence Olson
Deputies were called to the scene by a person who had been watching the property for Cunningham.
During the investigation, Olson was found hiding under a bed. He said he had permission from the owner to be in the residence, and he had entered only to “take a quick nap.”
Cunningham was contacted at the Texas jail where she was then being held and said she had not given Olson permission to be in her home.
Olson is facing felony counts of residential burglary and theft of property.
Another person accused in the murder, 38-year-old Skylar Brazil, will be represented by a public defender.
Photo: Skylar Brazil
A fourth person, 35-year-old Ashley Hendricks of Siloam Springs, has also entered a not guilty plea to her charges stemming from Stradford’s murder.
Photo: Ashley Hendricks
According to court records, the bond for Hendricks was lowered from $500,000 to $250,000,and she is free on that bond.
The Arkansas Public Defender Commission has hired Mountain Home lawyer Ben Burnett to represent Hendricks.
The conditions of her bond require her to wear an ankle monitor and live with a relative in Northwest Arkansas.
The four are among 11 people now facing murder or manslaughter charges in Baxter County. Because of restrictions placed on the operations of courts by the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be at least May 1 before the suspects can come before a jury.
Photos: 11 people are now facing murder trials in Baxter County Circuit Court. Pictured are: (top row, from left) Ryan James Lindsey; Allison Cunningham, Skyler Brazil, Ashley Hendricks, James Tyler Davis; Jeffery Shepherd, (bottom row) Savannah Wren, Baxter Stowers, Amber Runau, Jonathan Mauldin and Robert Dean Penny.
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