A local woman charged with murder, robbery and tampering with physical evidence had a bond hearing last Thursday, March 6 in Clinton Circuit Court.

Andrea Byler, one of two co-defendants charged in the October 2013 murder of Jimmy Sidwell, Jr., 19, was before Clinton Circuit Judge David L. Williams for a bond hearing. The Commonwealth was represented by Commonwealth Attorney Jesse Stockton while the defendant was represented by Attorney Lance Turner of Monticello.

The court heard testimony and summations by respective counsel and ruled, based upon the finding, that the defendant is a flight risk and is a danger to others and overruled the motion for bond reduction for Byler.

Byler’s co-defendant, Michael E. Thompson, also of Albany, had a bond hearing but the court ruled there was nothing to be heard at this time in Thompson’s case. He is also charged with murder, robbery and tampering with physical evidence in relation to Sidwell’s murder. Thompson was represented by public defender Brad Shuffitt.

Byler and Thompson are accused of killing Sidwell in late October of last year. His body was discovered October 26 underneath an unoccupied trailer on Cody Street in south Albany.

During the initial investigation, police determined the crime was apparently committed elsewhere and the body moved to the location where it was discovered on a Saturday afternoon.

Autopsy results indicated Sidwell died due to multiple stab wounds.

KSP Detective Ricky Brooks is lead investigator in the case.

Both Byler and Thompson remain lodged in jail on a $1 million bond each.