Hit man gets life in '04 doctor-slaying

Pima County Superior Court Judge Nanette Warner told Bigger Monday that despite his claim of innocence she has "no doubt" he is the man who stabbed the father of two 15 times outside his medical office on Oct. 5, 2004.

The judge said she suspects Bigger, 41, committed the "unthinkable" not only for money, but to gain the admiration of Dr. Bradley Schwartz.

The evidence showed Schwartz tried to persuade many others to kill Stidham, but they turned him down despite having far less going for them than he did, Warner admonished Bigger.

Warner sentenced Bigger to life without the possibility of parole for killing Stidham and to life with the possibility of parole after 25 years for conspiring with Schwartz.

Schwartz was convicted in May 2006 of conspiracy to commit murder in Stidham's death, but a jury could not reach a unanimous decision on the first-degree murder count he was also facing.

One year later, prosecutors Sylvia Lafferty and Richard Platt had better luck against Bigger.

On May 16, he was convicted of both counts following a two-month trial with much of the same evidence.

The prosecutors told jurors that Schwartz paid Bigger $10,000 to murder Stidham and to make it appear as though it were a carjacking.

They argued that Schwartz was furious Stidham had abandoned their joint practice while Schwartz was in drug rehabilitation, costing Schwartz hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost patients.

At the time of the slaying, Bigger had no job, no money, no car and no prospects and was clearly enticed by the prospect of a big payoff, the prosecutors said.

During the trial, Lafferty and Platt called witnesses who placed Bigger near the murder scene and near where Stidham's car was abandoned miles away.

They also presented witnesses who were treated by Bigger to an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas the weekend after Stidham's death.

Jurors also said they found a recorded jail phone call between Bigger and his mother to be particularly damning.

During the phone call, Bigger mentioned Schwartz and said, "He told me 'Don't worry about the car. Just come over there.' Never mind. I shouldn't say that. I shouldn't say nothing over the phone."

According to the prosecutors, Bigger dumped Stidham's car at an apartment complex after the slaying and took a cab to meet Schwartz for dinner.

Before announcing her decision, Warner watched a slide show of photos taken at various points in Stidham's life and listened to a statement written by Stidham's mother, Joyce Stidham, but read by Homicide Survivors founder Gail Leland.

The judge also took into consideration a report prepared by a forensic psychologist, Bigger's past criminal history and letters written by him, his mother and other supporters.

In his six-page letter, Bigger proclaimed his innocence and stresses his redeeming qualities.

"I'm not now nor have I ever been a threat to anyone except myself," Bigger's letter started. "I'm a godfather, uncle, volunteer, neighbor, coach, friend and taxpayer in Arizona."

He went on to write about the seven weddings he's stood up in, his willingness to help friends and family in their business endeavors and his success in the plastic packaging field.

Bigger said at times he made more than $70,000 a year.

"If you ever bought apples, candy, coffee, underwear and many other items, a good chance I worked with the growers/marketing/buyers/ manufacturers of numerous item. No bragging, just fact. I'm exceptional at my career and went from middle income to upper middle in less than three short years due to support and surrounding myself with quality people," Bigger wrote.

His biggest regret is not reaching out to his friends and family during challenging times, Bigger said.

"My arrogance in thinking I could handle anything resulted in me being with the wrong crowd, including Schwartz, let alone people whom did not tell the truth in trial," Bigger wrote.

Later, Bigger wrote, "My vulnerable state combined with my totally trusting nature has resulted in my corrupted thinking that Brad Schwartz was a friend. … Obviously Schwartz is nothing like the numerous doctors, lawyers, judges, vice presidents of corporations, private business owners, farmers, etc. that I've grown up with and been around and lived with my whole life."

Despite the fact his judgment was "tainted by depression, pride, arrogance and substance abuse," Bigger said he would never become a "conspirator/ killer."

"I grew up without a dad. Never would I wish (or) be a part of any plan to make children orphans," Bigger said.

"I love people, children and couldn't ever imagine hurting someone (Stidham family) like this," Bigger wrote.

After meeting with Bigger several times, University of Arizona professor and forensic psychologist Judith Becker diagnosed Bigger as suffering from a personality disorder with narcissistic features and antisocial features.

Bigger's mental-health disorder made him more susceptible to Schwartz's machinations, Becker said.

In announcing her sentence, Warner said she did not consider Becker's diagnosis a mitigating factor.

Bigger's attorneys, Jill Thorpe and Harold Higgins, said they intend to appeal Bigger's conviction.

Learn more about this case and view slide shows and videos at azstarnet.com/sn/schwartz