Crime & Safety

Brighton Man Competent to Stand Trial for Open Murder

Jessce Lincon Stearn of Brighton was found competent to stand trial on an open murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Charles Robert Kimball.

Jessce Lincon Stearn, 20, of Brighton, was found competent to stand trial on Tuesday for an open murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Charles Robert Kimball, according to a report from the Press & Argus.

The shooting incident took place in June 2012 at the Livingston Conservation and Sports Association gun range.

Stearn pleaded guilty to manslaughter and felony firearms in March but the charge was increased to open murder in May when new evidence allegedly showed the shooting was intentional. 

Find out what's happening in Brightonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte said back in October that Stearn and Kimball should not have been at the gun range that day and that Stearn was holding a replica AK-47 when it discharged and hit Kimball, killing him instantly.

Stearn originally told police the gun malfunctioned while he was cleaning the weapon.

Find out what's happening in Brightonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.