A Utah man already serving time for murder has received an additional prison sentence after threatening the family of the victim while he was out on bail. The new punishment will run at the same time as his existing sentence.
Threats Made While Awaiting Trial
Jesse Joel Bruce, 47, was sentenced this month to zero to five years in prison for retaliating against a witness. Bruce was out on bail in 2021 when he sent threatening messages to the mother and brother of his former housemate Cory Haney, whom he stabbed to death in 2019.
According to court documents, Bruce told the family he had “evidence” against Haney and would release it unless they stopped “attacking” him. Another message accused the family of guilt and misunderstanding the events surrounding the killing.
Bruce had been ordered to avoid contact with the victim’s family as a condition of his release.
Background: Murder Conviction and Appeal
The murder took place in March 2019, when Bruce and Haney, 40, got into a fight inside their shared home. Bruce later told authorities, “I just killed someone. I killed my best friend for 25 years,” according to charging documents.
After delays linked to claims of self-defense and the pandemic’s suspension of jury trials, Bruce was convicted of murder in 2022 and sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. He appealed the conviction, arguing he had ineffective legal representation, but the Utah Court of Appeals upheld the ruling earlier this year.
Released During Pandemic
Bruce was released from jail in June 2020 after posting a reduced bail amount. At the time, courts were struggling with pandemic-related shutdowns, and no trials were being held. A judge said the decision balanced public safety with Bruce’s constitutional right to a timely trial. Bruce was required to wear an ankle monitor and avoid all contact with Haney’s family.
Despite those restrictions, he sent the threatening messages in November 2021. He was later arrested and charged with two counts of retaliation against a witness.
Final Sentence
On Sept. 8, Bruce pleaded guilty to one count as part of a deal. The second charge was dismissed, and the court agreed that the sentence would run concurrently with his current prison term.
For continued updates on sentencing and appeals, visit the Utah Department of Corrections.
