By MARY ROSENTHOL
For Potomac Local NewsÂ
MANASSAS, Va. — Richard D. Sword and Gerry L. Sword, two brothers who were both facing murder charges after the burned body of Manassas resident Anthony Bailey was found in early November in Old Town Manassas, saw those charges dropped today.
Instead of facing murder charges, both men will be tried for improper disposal of human remains and are eligible for a $5,000 bond. If found guilty; both men could face up to five years in jail.
“My brother is gone, but they can get out,” said Bailey’s sister Doretha Barbour. “These men called my mother and told her they were taking care of Tony and this is how they took care of him.”
Several family members watched as the Sword brothers received the lesser charges and bond. Crying could be heard in the courtroom during the proceedings.
“All we want is justice,” said Barbour. “Tony is buried, but we still have to deal with this ongoing pain.”
The Bailey family voiced outrage with the Commonwealth Attorney’s office handling of the case, asking Commonwealth Attorney Brian Boyle questions about the upcoming trial and the rights of the family. Boyle explained the trial process to the Bailey’s and what they could expect during the next phase of the trial in early March when charges against the Sword brothers will be heard by a grand jury.
“We are just a family trying to heal,” Barbour said. “The strongest of us are here supporting each other.”
The body of the 44-year-old victim, Anthony Bailey, was discovered in a vacant parking lot in the 9000 block of Church Street, near the Olde Towne Inn, shortly after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2012.
The Sword brothers were identified through investigation and later observed on security video putting Mr. Bailey into a van owned by Richard Sword, police said. Richard Sword was then seen on the video driving the van to the parking lot where Mr. Bailey’s body was later found, removing Bailey, and setting him on fire, police stated.
Recent Stories
On Sunday, June 30, 2024, at around 5:45 p.m., Quincy Lamar Alexander, 42, of Stafford County, accidentally shot himself in the 300 block of Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg. Witnesses heard…
After her kayak overturned, a woman was rescued from the water near a fishing pier at Leesylvania State Park on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Get ready for an unforgettable Independence Celebration on Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 4 to 10 p.m. at Signal Hill Park, 9300 Signal View Drive, Manassas Park. Mark your calendars for a day filled with fun, food, and fireworks!
At 4 o’clock this morning, a house fire on the 14000 block of Carolina Street in Woodbridge was quickly controlled by fire crews, though the home sustained extensive damage.
On June 22, 2024, the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Ball, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Xi Alpha Lambda Chapter, seated in Prince William County, VA, awarded $73,000 in scholarships to 17 students through the chapter’s foundation, the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund. These scholarships will support their college journeys at prestigious universities such as Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Purdue University, Howard University, Shenandoah University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, Cornell University, Spelman College, North Carolina A&T State University, and Norfolk State University. The event highlighted the commitment of the Ira Dorsey Scholarship Endowment Fund to fostering academic excellence and supporting the educational aspirations of young scholars in our community.
FREE Leadership Sessions will be conducted at the George Mason University –Arlington Campus for High School Latinas. The program runs from Monday 7/15 through Friday 7/19 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM EST each day (1-week).
Las sesiones de liderazgo GRATUITAS se llevarán a cabo en el campus de George Mason University – Arlington para latinas de secundaria. El programa se desarrollará desde el lunes 15 de julio hasta el viernes 19 de julio, de 10:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m. EST cada dĂa (1 semana).
Our goal is to equip students with the fundamentals of self-promotion and guide them in shaping their personal brand for future success. What sets this program apart is its integration of self-awareness activities and mentorship by seasoned professionals.
Sessions begin with a thorough assessment of leadership dynamics on July 15th, participants delve into the intricacies of personal branding and etiquette on July 16th, followed by practical guidance on crafting compelling LinkedIn profiles and resumes on July 17th. July 18th emphasizes the art of storytelling through personal statements, while July 19th culminates in portfolio presentations, allowing participants to showcase their newfound skills. The program concludes on July 20th with a memorable graduation ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of the ELITE Academy’s graduates and their journey towards leadership excellence.
