A new court filing is shedding light on the conditions Brent Swadley, the embattled restauranteur, has faced while in custody at two Oklahoma detention centers. Swadley was convicted back in May on six felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the state. Following the verdict, the judge denied his request for bond, keeping him behind bars.

What the Filing Reveals

Swadley's defense team claims he has been subjected to threats, extortion attempts, and even injuries while in jail. The filing does not detail specific incidents but paints a troubling picture of his time in custody. According to reports, these experiences occurred at two separate detention centers in the state.

In July, Judge Susan Stallings also denied Swadley’s request for an appeal bond, further prolonging his time in custody. This decision prompted Swadley’s defense team to file a motion asking Stallings to recuse herself from the case. They argued that her actions and statements during the hearings raised concerns about her impartiality.

Defense Team's Claims

The defense alleges that Judge Stallings engaged in ex parte communications with jurors after the verdict was delivered. They claim these interactions influenced her decision to deny Swadley’s bond request. In their motion, they stated that Stallings’s "actions and statements" during the hearing "cast serious doubt on her ability to impartially preside over the remaining proceedings in this case."

In response to the motion, Judge Stallings agreed to transfer Swadley’s sentencing to Judge Truong’s courtroom. However, she maintained her role in overseeing the rest of the case. This partial transfer sparked further objections from Swadley’s legal team, who argued that current law does not allow a judge to transfer only certain aspects of a trial to another judge.

Background on the Case

Swadley’s legal troubles stem from his role as the owner of Swadley’s Bar-B-Q, a well-known restaurant chain here in Oklahoma. He was accused of conspiring to defraud the state through a contract with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Prosecutors argued that Swadley overbilled the state for services related to the management of state park restaurants.

After a lengthy trial, Swadley was found guilty on six felony counts. Since then, his time in custody has been marked by legal battles and allegations about his treatment in jail. The recent filing adds another layer to an already complex case.

What’s Next

It remains unclear how the court will handle the defense's latest motion regarding Judge Stallings’s partial transfer of the case. Legal experts say this could lead to further delays in the proceedings. For now, Swadley’s sentencing will be overseen by Judge Truong, but the rest of the case remains under Stallings’s jurisdiction.

Folks following this case will likely have to wait a bit longer for resolution. In the meantime, Swadley’s defense team continues to push for changes they believe will ensure a fair trial. This story is far from over, and we’ll keep y’all updated as more details emerge.