In the quiet neighborhood of Marshall Lane in Lexington, Kentucky, a devastating series of events unfolded, shattering the tranquility of the community and ending the life of a beloved neighbor. Arliss Stewart, an 80-year-old Caucasian male, was a man known for his passion for woodwork, a skill he had honed in his retirement after a career at the University of Kentucky. His talent was evident to those who passed his home, where a wooden chair he had crafted often sat in the driveway, a simple testament to his handiwork.
On the evening of September 19, 2023, the peace on Marshall Lane was irrevocably broken. A confrontation erupted inside Stewart's home, a place that should have been his sanctuary. The dispute was with his 59-year-old stepson, James Bradburn. The argument escalated to a terrifying point when Bradburn produced a handgun. He fired a shot into the floor, a startling act of aggression that was a prelude to the tragedy that would follow. A physical struggle ensued between the two men, a desperate fight that ended with the gun being turned on Stewart.
The sound of the gunshot did not immediately alert all the neighbors, but the subsequent arrival of a heavy police presence certainly did. Officers responded to a report of a shooting and found a tense and dangerous situation. Bradburn had barricaded himself inside the house, refusing to surrender. The Lexington Police Department's mobile command post and tactical teams were called to the scene, transforming the residential street into a zone of high tension. When officers were finally able to make entry into the home, they discovered a grim scene. Arliss Stewart was found suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at 11:44 p.m.
After a standoff, James Bradburn was taken into custody. He was initially charged with murder for the death of his stepfather. The very chair that Stewart had built in his driveway became a somber piece of the crime scene, as police reportedly had Bradburn sit in it after he was brought out of the house. He was later booked into the Fayette County Detention Center. In a subsequent court appearance, Bradburn pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree manslaughter. For his role in the tragic death of his stepfather, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, bringing a legal conclusion to a deeply personal and violent family tragedy.
