On Saturday, the National District Attorneys Association presented its highest honor to Pinal Co. Chief Criminal Deputy County Attorney Richard Platt & Deputy County Attorney Sylvia Lafferty. Platt & Lafferty are the latest inductees in the “Home Run Hitter’s Club” for successfully prosecuting Dr. Brian Stidham’s murderer & a co-conspirator.
Dr. Bradley Schwartz, conspired to have his former business partner, Dr. Stidham, killed by a hit man. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Platt & Lafferty, Schwartz was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder & is now serving a 25 year to life sentence. Schwartz’ hired hit man, Ronald Bruce Bigger, who ambushed & stabbed Dr. Stidham 15 times, is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Bigger was convicted of 1st degree murder & conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder.
The investigation uncovered conflicts of interest among attorneys in the Pima Co. Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Pinal Co. after several Pima Co. Deputy Attorneys found themselves fired or disciplined for conflicts of interest.
This is not the 1st major recognition for Platt & Lafferty. Last year they were named Felony Prosecutors of the Year by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council.