WACO, Texas (KWTX) – A Speegleville male who held a weapon to a cat’s head throughout a virtual court hearing recently is back in the McLennan County Jail on charges he pointed a weapon at clients of a popular Hewitt restaurant.
Bryan Bruce, 41, who has a history of psychological health problems, is scheduled for a mental assessment Wednesday early morning after his arrest Tuesday on a Class A misdemeanor fatal conduct charge.
Arrest file declare Bruce muffled a lobby bench at George’s Restaurant and Bar No. 2, 1201 Hewitt Drive, on Jan. 31, pulled a handgun and pointed it at a number of consumers.
“There was no initial report made and the persons who had the gun pointed at them appear unaware of it happening based on the lack of a reaction on video,” an arrest affidavit states. “Video from George’s clearly shows a white male pointing a handgun in the direction of several people, putting them in imminent danger of serious bodily injury.”
According to the affidavit, Kyle Citrano, George’s 2 handling partner, understands Bruce as a previous George’s staff member, and “was able to calm down Bryan Bruce and prevent any further violence from occurring.”
The occurrence at George’s took place 10 days prior to Bruce, who has a felony arson charge pending, was seen holding a handgun to a cat’s head on a remote court hearing broadcast on a big screen in 19th State District Judge Thomas West’s court.
Bruce was logged into the hearing from another location, as was his lawyer, Brian Howell.
West asked Bruce why he was holding a 9mm handgun to the cat’s head. Bruce informed the judge it was not a 9mm, it was a .45-caliber handgun. He likewise informed the judge that the cat, which might be seen proceeding the teleconference display, was not a genuine cat. He said it was a “spy cat.”
“I wouldn’t do that to a real cat,” Bruce said.
West ended the hearing after seeing Bruce’s habits and consulted Assistant District Attorney Will Hix and Howell.
Hix submitted a movement to discover Bruce’s bond inadequate since Bruce is not enabled to have guns as a condition of his bail bond.
Howell, in turn, submitted a movement to have Bruce go through a mental assessment based upon his actions Friday throughout the hearing.
Howell decreased remark Wednesday on Bruce’s newest arrest.
Later Friday, McLennan County constable’s deputies carried out a “welfare check” on Bruce and took him for momentary dedication to a regional psychological health center.
West released an arrest warrant in the fatal conduct case on Monday and Bruce was detained and imprisoned Wednesday. If Waco psychologist Lee Carter figures out that Bruce is not qualified to stand trial, a hearing will be set and he likely will be bought to go through treatment at a state psychological center in an effort for him to restore his proficiency to deal with the arson and fatal conduct charges, court authorities said Wednesday.
Bruce is charged with setting a grassy location on fire that infected a separated garage on his family’s property.
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