Long Neck man pleads guilty to murder
A Long Neck man will serve 30 years in prison after pleading guilty July 30 to killing his grandmother.
George Bailey III, 31, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges in Delaware Superior Court in Georgetown, admitting he strangled Lorraine Bradley, 69, in a Long Neck home.
Flanked by his attorney, public defender Jerome Capone, Bailey read a short statement he had composed, expressing remorse for his crime.
“I apologize sincerely to my family,” he said.
George Bailey II had planned to speak on behalf of the prosecution. He began reading a statement about how the murder had caused misery, pain, sadness and discomfort for the family. But Bailey II could go no further and left the courtroom. His statement was entered into the court record. Stokes read the statement to himself at the bench and summarized its contents as expressing sorrow for the family.
For second degree-murder, Bailey was facing a sentence of 15 years to life. He received a 50 year sentence that includes 30 years of jail time, six years in work release and 10 years of probation. Stokes said should Bailey violate that probation, he could be forced to serve the balance of his sentence. He was ordered not to have any contact with Bradley’s family.
Police said Bailey had been living with his grandmother at her house on Schooner Lane in Rehoboth Shores after being released from prison Oct. 10.
Two days later, police said, he strangled her to death, stole her car and left her body in the home for more than a week.
Court documents state on the day of the murder, Bailey and Bradley were leaving for Bailey’s probation check when Bradley tripped and fell on the floor. Bailey checked to see if she was OK and then began to choke her. Court records said while Bailey was choking her he said, “I’m sorry,” and “You are going to a better place.”
Bailey took Bradley’s body into the bedroom and laid her on the bed face down, court records state. He took her cellphone and car keys, put covers over the body and left. Records state he traded her car for drugs.
