Phillip Bruce Hadley appeared in Adair Circuit Court on Monday with his attorneys, Jude Hagan and Elmer George. His attorney filed a motion to reduce his bond from $1 million full cash to 10 percent cash or $200,000 cash or property.
Hadley has been incarcerated since January 13. He is accused of murder in connection with the shooting death of his son, Jordan Hadley.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Wright called two witnesses, Kentucky State Police Detective BJ Burton, and Jordan Hadley’s mother, Lynette Brock.
Burton testified about the events that occurred on January 13 between the father and son and the evidence he had collected during his investigation.
Burton said there had been an ongoing conflict between Bruce and Jordan for several months. Most recently, Jordan believed that Bruce and his wife, Leslie Hadley, had been helping Jordan’s ex-girlfriend in a custody battle over their mutual children.
Bruce had been advised by former Sheriff Josh Brockman on several occasions to obtain an emergency protection order against Jordan. Bruce’s uncle gave him the same advice the day of the shooting. There was no record of Bruce ever attempting to get a protection order.
The shooting occurred at Bruce’s mother Alice’s house. Bruce said that Jordan shoved him twice and then was reaching around to his back and Bruce thought he had a gun, although he never saw a gun. Alice said that Jordan shoved Bruce once and that his hands were up and he was moving forward to shove Bruce a second time when Bruce pulled the gun out and shot him.
Brock testified about her experiences with Bruce and his temper. She said she recalled one incident where he grabbed a carnival worker and other people had to separate them.
She recalled that during their second divorce, he became upset, possibly because she would not leave the house, and raised a Maglite as if he were going to hit her. She said she backed away, and he instead slammed the flashlight onto the countertop.
“He left the house, went around and I could see out the kitchen window. Jordan was standing there. They had words and he punched Jordan in the nose and broke Jordan’s sunglasses,” she said.
Brock said that last fall Jordan called her and told her that he and Bruce were arguing. Jordan told her that Bruce said to him if he stepped back on his property, he would shoot him.
Brock said the last time she spoke to Jordan was 19 minutes before the 911 call was made.
She said he was sad and he told her that he found out some things and he was sorry for the times he was not the best son. She said Jordan told her that he and Bruce had an argument and Bruce left spinning tires. She said he told her he was going to go back and talk to his dad and get things worked out.
Hagan declined to call any witnesses.
He said that Bruce was a lifelong resident of Adair County with no criminal history. He said the bond is only to make sure that he appears in court and that he is not a danger to the community.
“This is a horrible, horrible tragedy involving a family,” Hagan said. “Bruce is in no way a danger to the community at large. This was a very specific incident.”
“It is just that, a tragedy. It is not a crime,” he said. “He has a very valid self-defense I think as even implicitly acknowledged by Detective Burton that he was standing his ground after being attacked.”
Hagan said that a property bond could be made and suggested an ankle monitor or other non-monetary conditions.
George said the laws do allow property bonds, he said the value of the property owned by the Hadley family is three times the cash bond. He asked Judge Judy Vance Murphy to seriously consider a property bond.
Wright opposed any modification to the bond.
“Judge, I would refuse. He is not entitled to a bail. Murder is a capital offense. He is not entitled to any bond, your Honor,” said Wright.
Murphy did not make any changes to Bruce’s bond at this time. The trial is set for September 8. Hadley will appear in court for a pretrial conference on May 26 at 9 a.m.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
