Brighton Man Competent to Stand Trial for Open Murder

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. 

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.