ANDERSON — The younger brother of a man accused in the July 2008 slaying of a 78-year-old Elwood man pleaded guilty Tuesday to his role in concealing the crime and burning the victim’s car.
Jeffrey Guffey, 39, of New Castle, pleaded guilty in Madison Superior Court to arson and assisting a criminal.
As part of the agreement with prosecutors, he will cooperate and testify against his brother, Jerry Guffey, 54, of Elwood, who is charged with murder in John Collier’s death.
Collier’s body was found July 9 in his home at 400 N. 11th St. in Elwood. Early in the investigation, officials said Jerry Guffey may have viewed Collier as a romantic rival for his girlfriend.
On Tuesday, under questioning from Madison County Prosecutor Thomas Broderick, Jeffrey Guffey repeatedly answered “yes,” affirming the narrative that makes up the state’s murder case against his brother.
Jeffrey Guffey affirmed that Jerry came to his home covered in blood and said that he had — in Broderick’s words — “nearly decapitated” Collier.
Jerry then “requested help in getting rid of the vehicle” that had been taken after Collier’s death, Broderick said.
The brothers then siphoned gasoline from Collier’s 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, which was driven to Henry County and set on fire using the siphoned gas.
Jeffrey Guffey said he acted alone in burning the car.
During the arson, a burst of fire burned Guffey and forced him to drop his identification that was later discovered by authorities.
Jeffrey and Jerry Guffey’s trial date had been set for Tuesday, but after Jeffrey’s plea agreement was entered, Jerry’s trial date was continued until Aug. 25.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey would serve two years in prison followed by three years of probation under terms of his plea agreement entered Tuesday by defense attorney Anthony Lawrence.
Judge Dennis Carroll set Jeffrey Guffey’s sentencing for June 22 at 1:30 p.m. in Madison Superior Court 1.
Broderick declined to assess whether Jeffrey’s decision to testify might lead Jerry Guffey to enter a plea on the murder charge.
“Our intention is to try him if he doesn’t plead,” Broderick said.
Contact Dave Stafford at 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
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Brother of murder suspect pleads guilty
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