Bruce Hadley was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter Friday in the shooting death of his son, Jordan Hadley. The jury recommended a five-year prison sentence following nearly five hours of deliberations.
The verdict followed four days of testimony in Casey County Circuit Court, where jurors heard conflicting accounts of the father-son relationship and whether Bruce acted in self-defense during the Jan. 13 shooting.
Bruce was originally charged with murder. The trial was moved after a jury could not be seated in Adair County.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Wright argued Bruce armed himself and deliberately confronted Jordan, while defense attorneys Jude Hagan and Elmer George maintained Bruce feared for his life.
Forensic evidence
State medical examiner Dr. Ashley Mathew-Brothers testified Jordan sustained five gunshot wounds to the head and torso, including a fatal wound behind his right ear. She could not determine the order of the shots but said Jordan could have remained mobile before receiving the fatal wound.
Toxicology testing showed Jordan’s blood alcohol level was .099, while eye fluid measured .155, which Mathew-Brothers considered more accurate.
Kentucky State Police Detective BJ Burton testified about two interviews with Bruce. Bruce described an earlier confrontation when Jordan allegedly blocked his vehicle, shoved him and accused him and his wife, Leslie, of providing information to Jordan’s former fiancée, Sydney Wilson, during custody proceedings.
Bruce told investigators he attempted to call 911, later warned his mother, Alice Hadley, to leave her residence and returned to the property carrying a .40-caliber handgun.
He said Jordan subsequently approached him angrily, shoved him and reached behind his hip.
“I thought he’s going to kill me, he’s really going to kill me,” Bruce told investigators.
Investigators recovered five spent shell casings. A search of Jordan’s truck revealed a loaded rifle and shotgun but no handgun.
Phone records confirmed Bruce attempted to call 911 around 2:08 p.m., contacted relatives and texted Alice at 2:24 p.m. warning that Jordan was a threat. Additional calls to Leslie and 911 began around 2:59 p.m.
Family testimony
Witnesses described years of family conflict, including disputes over the family farm.
Jordan’s mother, Tina Lynette Brock, his sister, Mallory Frye, and former girlfriend Brooklyn Vaught described incidents in which Bruce allegedly struck Jordan.
Darris Anderson testified he once heard Bruce tell Jordan during a telephone argument, “I should kill you over this land.”
Defense witnesses described Jordan’s temper, alcohol struggles and financial difficulties.
Wilson, mother of Jordan’s two youngest children, testified their relationship deteriorated and described tensions between Jordan and Bruce, particularly involving the farm.
Leslie testified Jordan had struggled with alcohol for years and described a Jan. 9 confrontation when he became angry after she refused his request for $5,000.
She said Bruce called after the shooting and told her, “Come home right now, I just shot Jordan.”
When she arrived, Bruce was attempting lifesaving measures, she said.
“He absolutely loved his son,” Leslie testified.
Bruce takes the stand
Bruce described Jordan as his best friend but said alcohol had changed his behavior. He testified that injuries from a 2006 vehicle accident continued to affect his mobility.
Bruce said Jordan confronted and shoved him earlier Jan. 13. After repairing a skid steer, Bruce returned home, contacted relatives and warned Alice.
He testified that he always kept a handgun in a holster on the tractor and he placed it on him to keep it from bouncing around inside the tractor.
Bruce said Jordan later arrived at Alice’s residence, shoved him twice and reached behind his hip. Believing Jordan was reaching for a handgun, Bruce said he feared for his life.
“I was defending myself,” he testified.
Bruce said he called 911 and attempted to save Jordan. He denied continuing to fire until his gun’s slide locked back.
During cross-examination, Wright questioned why Bruce had not sought an emergency protective order despite his stated fears.
The prosecution also presented rebuttal witnesses who described previous confrontations involving Bruce. Jordan’s former wife, April Davis, testified Bruce once removed a firearm from its holster during a confrontation with her, leaving her frightened. No charges resulted.
Closing arguments
Hagan argued the evidence supported self-defense, emphasizing Bruce’s earlier 911 attempt, warnings to Alice and actions after the shooting.
He disputed claims Bruce deliberately armed himself to confront Jordan, saying Bruce routinely carried a firearm while working on the farm.
“A tragedy is not a murder,” Hagan told jurors.
Wright argued Bruce had time to avoid another confrontation but instead returned armed.
He challenged Bruce’s claim that Jordan was reaching for a handgun and argued medical evidence indicated Jordan was turning away when shot.
“He had to make a decision to pull that trigger five times,” Wright said.
Wright requested a murder conviction, while Hagan asked for acquittal.
Sentencing recommendation
After four hours and 45 minutes of deliberations, jurors found Bruce guilty of second-degree manslaughter.
During sentencing testimony, Jordan’s mother requested the maximum 10-year sentence, while Alice asked jurors to recommend the minimum five years.
A probation and parole officer testified the offense is a Class C felony carrying five to 10 years and requires serving 85% of the sentence before parole eligibility.
Jurors recommended five years after deliberating less than five minutes. Bruce was taken into custody.
Formal sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 9 a.m. in Adair County Circuit Court.
Daily coverage of the trial is available for subscribers at adairvoice.com.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
