One of two brothers originally convicted in the murder of two people in north-central Idaho more than 3 decades ago says he acted alone in the killings.
Bryan Lankford testified Monday in Canyon County during the third trial of his brother Mark. Both Lankfords were found guilty in 1984 for the beating deaths of a couple camping in the backcountry of Idaho County.
Bryan Lankford is serving a life sentence for the killings.
Mark Lankford stands trial for the third time. He won an appeal on his first conviction, and was retried and convicted a second time. However, he won a second appeal when the Idaho Supreme Court overturned his 2008 conviction after it was learned prosecutors failed to inform defense attorneys the full details of a deal made with an incarcerated witness in exchange for testifying against Lankford.
Bryan Lankford’s testimony Monday that he was the sole killer wasn’t the first time he’s made that claim, as he acknowledged that his testimony over the years has been inconsistent – he has alternated from admitting to being the sole killer, to watching his brother bludgeon the couple, to not being anywhere near the killings.
Both Lankfords have been in prison for the murders since 1984.
Bryan has been denied parole several times in the past, with his next parole date set for 2023.
Mark Lankford’s trial is in its second week. (Lewiston Tribune)
