PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Screams echoed through the third floor hallway of the Prince William County Courthouse this morning as the Bailey family heard yet again, sentencing for Anthony Bailey would be postponed.
Dismayed, Bailey’s sister shouted “this is just a joke to you people and there is no justice for my brother; those men got away with murder” as she left the courtroom after yet another hearing in a string of seemingly endless court dates for brothers Richard Dale and Gerry Lee Sword.
Today, Gerry Lee Sword plead guilty to the charge of improper disposal of human remains in front of Judge Lon Farris. Sword is slated for sentencing on December 12 at 9 a.m.
“This was a very difficult case for the family and for the victim,” said Rick Conway of the Commonwealth Attorney’s office. “We had to proceed with the charges that were supported by the evidence.”
Anthony Bailey’s family members continue to question why murder charges were filed before supporting evidence could be found.
On Oct. 30 last year, Anthony Bailey died after ingesting a mixture of alcohol, Benadryl and Prozac while with brothers Richard Dale and Gerry Lee Sword at the Old Town Inn. His burned body was later found in Old Town Manassas.
Initially, the Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney’s office charged the Sword brothers with murder, but the charge was reduced to improper disposal of human remains after the Medical Examiner’s report revealed that Bailey died of a drug overdose.
The Sword brothers have a long history in the criminal justice system dating back to the late 1980s with convictions for burglary and the sale of illegal drugs, according to court documents. Both men previously served time in prison.
In May, Richard Dale Sword plead guilty to improper disposal of human remains and he will be sentenced on August 15. A penalty of up to 5 years in prison can be imposed.
Anthony Bailey’s family members have attended every hearing for the Sword brothers taking time from work, postponing vacations and a few came in from out of state to see the Sword brothers in court. Members say it is like reliving Bailey’s death each time a court date comes up
