Bradenton Man Accused of Murder Days After Release for Machete Attack
Less than a week after being released from jail on bond for swinging a machete at a neighbor, a Bradenton man now faces a murder charge in the fatal stabbing of another resident in the same neighborhood.
Court records show 39-year-old Jean Addition was first arrested in late August after deputies said he threatened to chop off a neighbor’s head during a dispute over food. During that incident, Addition allegedly swung a machete at the man, striking his car instead. Deputies collected both a machete and a kitchen knife from the scene. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and released on a $5,000 bond on Sept. 2.
Days later, deputies were called back to 60th Avenue Drive East for a fight that ended with the death of 40-year-old Wednes Cleophat. According to investigators, Addition and Cleophat got into an altercation in the street on Sept. 6. Witnesses said Addition pulled a knife and stabbed Cleophat multiple times. Cleophat was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital, where he died the following morning.
Detectives reported that surveillance footage showed Addition approaching a card game, appearing agitated, before the fight began. Addition told investigators he acted in self-defense, claiming Cleophat attacked him with a machete and a glass bottle. However, deputies said no machete was found at the scene, and Addition’s injuries were inconsistent with his account.
Authorities also allege Addition struck Cleophat with a baseball bat after stabbing him. Deputies recovered a broken bat near the victim.
Addition remains held in the Manatee County Jail without bond. He is scheduled for arraignment on Oct. 17 for the aggravated assault charge and on Oct. 24 for the murder charge.