Photo: Ashley Hendricks
One of four people charged with involvement in the murder of Cody Stradford in late 2020 appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court last Thursday.
Thirty-six-year-old Ashley Hendricks of Siloam Springs wanted the court to allow her to check into a rehab facility in Florida and not be required to wear her ankle monitor during the stay.
Wants court to approve rehab plan
Hendricks’ attorney, Ben Burnett, argued his client was not a flight risk, had made all of her scheduled court appearances and had family living within close proximity to the Florida rehab facility.
He told the court Hendricks would be in a residential treatment facility in Florida and would be closely supervised.
Burnett said as soon as Hendricks completed rehab, she would resume wearing the ankle monitor.
Judge says no
Circuit Judge John Putman refused to approve the arrangements. He told Burnett that given the serious nature of the charges against Hendricks, he was not anxious to have her go out of state.
She is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and second-degree battery.
The judge said he would prefer Hendricks do her rehab at a facility in Arkansas.
Burnett said an attempt would be made to locate an in-state facility.
Hendricks is the only one charged in the murder not in jail. She is free on $250,000 bond.
Madison County drug case
Hendricks was recently put on probation for 36 months in a drug-related case in Madison County. The plea was taken under the provisions of Act 346, commonly known as the first offenders law.
Hendricks could be considered a first offender only because her charges in the Stradford murder have not been adjudicated.
In the Madison County case, Hendricks was originally charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms – a Class Y felony. That charge was dropped by the state according to electronic court records.
The murder
Stradford’s body was found in a burned-out vehicle just off Old Arkana Road on Dec. 16, 2020. Investigators said the car appeared to have been at the location for several days before being discovered.
In addition to Hendricks, the others charged with involvement in the murder were 29-year-old Ryan Lindsey, 39-year-old Skylar Brazil and 42-year-old Allison Cunningham.
Photos: (from left) Ryan James Lindsey, Skylar Whitney Brazil and Allison June Beckham Cunningham
Lindsey and Brazil are both in prison serving time on earlier convictions. Lindsey is an inmate in the East Arkansas Max unit, and Brazil is being held at the Varner unit.
Cunningham is in the Baxter County Detention Center. Her bond is set at $1 million.
Prosecutors have said the death penalty is on the table for Lindsey and Cunningham.
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