Man convicted of Idaho killings to be released in 2018

LEWISTON – One of two brothers convicted of killing a Texas couple in North Idaho 30 years ago and sentenced to life in prison has been given a release date.

The Idaho Commission on Pardons and Parole on Friday set Oct. 24, 2018, as the release date for 55-year-old Bryan S. Lankford.

Lankford and his older brother, Mark Lankford, were convicted of the 1983 beating deaths of U.S. Marine Capt. Robert Bravence, 27, and his wife, Cheryl Bravence, 25, of El Paso, Texas. Mark Lankford is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.

After the killings, the brothers hid the bodies in the Idaho wilderness and took the couple’s vehicle, money and credit cards on a trip to California. The bodies were discovered three months later, and the brothers were apprehended when they returned to their home state of Texas.

Parole board Executive Director Olivia Craven said the board will eventually release more details about its decision but first has to clear up some other matters related to the case.

The brothers were both convicted in 1984 of the murders of the couple who were camping in the North Idaho wilderness. Both were sentenced to death, according to the Idaho attorney general, who later became involved due to appeals in the brothers’ cases. Each brother has blamed the other for the crime. Following appeals, Bryan Lankford’s sentence was reduced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.