CENTER – The woman who allegedly disposed of a shotgun used in a February double homicide in Bloomfield has entered a plea of not guilty in the case.
Appearing in Knox County District Court, Kaylynn M. Sweazy, 27, Bloomfield, entered her plea on April 30 to one charge of tampering with physical evidence, a Class 2 felony.
Sweazy has been accused of helping her husband, Alias V. Reed, 25, Bloomfield, dispose of a shotgun used in the killings of Curtis “Curt” Strom, 77, Bloomfield, and William Reffett, 49, Center, on Feb. 20 at Bloomfield’s bowling alley.
According to court documents, Reed walked into Curt’s Lanes and Dining the morning of Feb. 20 – his third time visiting Strom’s business that day – with the shotgun concealed inside a cardboard box, initiated an argument with Reffett, an employee of Strom’s, and then allegedly shot Reffett. Moments later, Reed allegedly shot Strom.
Sweazy allegedly admitted during a follow-up interview with law enforcement officials that she traveled with Reed to help dispose of the shotgun he allegedly used at the bowling alley.
Based on information from Sweazy, law enforcement officials later located the shotgun believed to be used in the fatal shootings – in a ditch by a rural county road near Center.
Sweazy is set to return to court on May 28 to discuss a filed motion before a pretrial conference on June 25. A trial in her case could be scheduled for sometime in August.
Her bond remains set at 10 percent of $100,000, and she is ordered not to have contact with her husband.
As for Reed, the court has ordered him to undergo treatment at the Lincoln Regional Center.
Previously, Reed had been found by the court to not be competent to stand trial, but it was believed his competency could be restored.
The court is set to hear more information about Reed’s commitment on May 16.
Reed originally was charged in the case with two counts of first-degree murder – Class 1 felonies – and two counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony – Class 1C felonies.
