Jeffrey David Swanner, 34, was sentenced to 30 years on Wednesday morning for the murder of his longtime friend, Kenneth Wadel Burcalow, 60, of Diana, Texas. The Upshur County District Attorney's Office disclosed that Swanner pleaded guilty to the April 3, 2021 murder.
Reports revealed that on that day, after a night of using methamphetamine and consuming alcohol, a dispute erupted between Burcalow and Swanner inside a small camper located off Swan Road in Diana. Swanner, allegedly under the influence and in a delusional state, fatally struck Burcalow with an ax. Swanner said he saw "demons" and thought Burcalow was attacking him.
Following the incident, Swanner fled the scene and was later discovered in the woods the next day.
During the initial court proceedings after the arrest, Swanner was deemed incompetent and was sent to a state hospital to restore his competency. However, after his competency was restored, he was transferred back to Upshur County for sentencing.
