Florence, AZ - The Arizona Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of Ronald Bruce Bigger in the case of the Brian Stidham murder.

Pinal County Chief Deputy County Attorney Richard Platt and Chief Trial Counsel Sylvia Lafferty successfully prosecuted Bigger in May 2007. Bigger was sentenced to life in prison for killing Stidham, a Tucson ophthalmologist, having been convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder.

"We are satisfied with the Court's decision," Chief Trial Counsel Sylvia Lafferty said.

Bigger’s attorney’s attempted to overturn the conviction and sentence imposed on their client.

Bigger was convicted for receiving $10,000 from Dr. Bradley Schwartz to kill Stidham who was stabbed multiple times near his office on Oct. 5, 2004.  Schwartz was a former partner of Stidham’s.

For more information call Kostas Kalaitzidis at 520 866 6699 or 520 709 1333 or email at Kostas.kalaitzidis@pinalcountyaz.gov