By Travis Gettys
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COVINGTON - The last of three defendants was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Stephen Craven.

Ronald Pryor (right), convicted of murder in the death of Stephen Craven of Edgewood, looks toward spectators in the courtroom during a break in the trial. (Patrick Reddy photo)

In 2002, a jury had sentenced Ronald Pryor to death for his role in the slaying, but prosecutors last year spared his life in exchange for his testimony against Adele Craven, the wife of the victim.

Pryor admitted to being the hit man in a murder-for-hire plot devised by Craven and her lover, Russell "Rusty" McIntire.

Pryor agreed to be paid $15,000 by the pair, who planned to get married.

Adele Craven was tried twice for her husband's murder. She pleaded guilty Feb. 19 after her first trial ended in a mistrial, and was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for 20 years.

McIntire pleaded guilty to the murder in June 2001, and last week received life in prison without possibility of parole for 25 years.

"I think all three of these persons deserve the death penalty," said Assistant Attorney General Luke Morgan, who prosecuted each of the cases.

Stephen Craven was beaten and shot to death July 12, 2000, in the home he shared with his wife and two young sons.

Pryor was recruited to kill the 38-year-old Delta Air Lines pilot by McIntire and Adele Craven.

"I don't think there's anything about this case that's not sad, that's not heart-wrenching," said Kenton County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Summe.

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E-mail tgettys@enquirer.com