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PRICE, Utah (AP) — A Carbon County man has pleaded no contest to attempted manslaughter and attempted kidnapping for his role in the death of Brian William Swink.
The Deseret News reports (http://bit.ly/1HZYhjs) that 40-year-old James William Pendleton Jr. entered the pleas in a bargain that resolves nine cases against him.
Swink was found dead in the basement of Pendleton's fire-damaged home. Two others still face murder, kidnapping and conspiracy charges for Swink's death.
Carbon County Attorney Gene Strate says he faces a number of challenges in the case, including that several state witnesses were convicted of unrelated crimes and are serving prison or jail sentences.
Pendleton also pleaded guilty to charges of assault by a prisoner, possession of a controlled substance, assault, attempted witness tampering and attempted possession of items prohibited in a correctional facility.
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Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com
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