LaFollette Press

Thursday, March 6, 2014

7A

LaFollette

PRESS
A CLOSER LOOK:

KENNETH BARTLEY CAMPBELL COUNTY SCHOOL-SHOOTING TRIAL

My rst thought after the verdict was read was
one of confusion. I kept waiting for them to x it.

Jo Bruce, widow of Ken Bruce, on how she felt

after hearing the verdict on Friday

Editors Note: Jo Bruce, the widow of Assistant Principal Ken Bruce, answered
the following questions via email on March 4.
Press: Now that youve had a few days of reection what comes next? I know
that right after the incident, you were an advocate for stricter school safety and better
training for SROs. Has the verdict sparked any inspiration on your part to push for
more reforms be it in the school system or within the judicial system?
Jo Bruce: What comes next? I am prayerfully looking for what comes next. I will
always be an advocate for schools and school safety. After all, I have three teachers
in my immediate family and a granddaughter that will one day begin school. I want
them to know that I will always care for them and their safety, as well as the safety
of all staff and students. I have learned many things about the justice system over
the last eight years, and my heart breaks for the victims in cases such as ours. It
is difcult to remember that the case is between the state and the perpetrator and
to understand that victims have only a small part in the court proceedings. It has
been difcult for my family to understand that the courts are set up to ensure fair
trials for the accused. While I understand this, I now know just how victims are
continually re-victimized by our current justice system and that verdicts are not
always fair or just.
Press: Some would argue that this case could have been put to rest in 2007 had
Judge Blackwood declined the plea and proceeded with the trial. Do you agree with
that sentiment?
Jo Bruce: We agreed to the plea decision, because we thought that it was fair
and that it would provide closure and protect everyone from reliving that awful day.
I felt that the appeal for a new trial should have never been granted. Kennys parents
said that they were not aware of the plea decision, but I watched them go back into
the room to speak with him on the day that the plea was accepted. That should have
been the closure we deserved. If Judge Blackwood was concerned about the legality
of the pleas, he should have never allowed Kenny Bartley to enter into it. He said in
court this case was messed up from the beginning. I hope that he fully understands
the devastation that our family has carried for the last eight years and now must
face for the rest of our days on this earth. How can this be justice for the victims?
Press: Do you feel like the district attorneys ofce did its job with the trial last
week? Can you tell me what was said when the DA and her team turned around and
spoke with you all following the verdict?
Jo Bruce: I feel that the DAs ofce did their best. They did their best with what
they were allowed to present. I think that they wanted a fair verdict and were saddened by the verdict that the jury laid down. They have always treated my family
with the utmost respect. That being said, much of the evidence that should have
been presented in court was not allowed by Judge Blackwood. I think that his zeal
to complete this case may have impacted decisions that he made from the bench
regarding evidence and testimony that could have given the jury a clearer picture of
the events of Nov. 8, 2005.
Press: What was your rst thought after the verdict was read?
Jo Bruce: My rst thought after the verdict was read was one of confusion. I
kept waiting for them to x it. I just sat there frozen in time. Two men sat behind
me with bullets still lodged in their bodies from that day, and they had to listen to
the words not guilty. How could that be? I could not believe that Mr. Bartley could
shoot my husband so unfairly and cruelly and then receive a sentence of reckless
homicide, a sentence that carries only a two- to four-year prison term. Kenny Bartley
was released that day and got to go home to his family. The Bruce family, however,
continues to receive a life sentence without parole as Ken Bruce will never be seen
on this earth again.
Press: From Fridays statement, I understand you are absolutely devastated and
displeased with the jurys verdict. What do you think led to the verdict? Do you feel
that they properly considered the facts of the case or were they swayed too heavily
by the defense? Is there any closure for you now that the case is nished or does
the verdict prevent closure?
Jo Bruce: I would not even begin to speak for the jury. I do not know what they
were thinking when they rendered such a light, one-sided verdict. That must belong
to them. One of the weakest moments of the trial was the judges instructions to
the jury. Rapidly reading from a script in a voice that was barely audible may have
caused some jurors to truly not understand the task that they were given. Some
people felt that because they were from another county, they just wanted to go home
and possibly did not give the evidence the attention it deserved, but I cannot answer
that either. I will never be able to understand the verdict that was rendered that day.
That is the one thing that I know for sure.

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Press: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Jo Bruce: My only other comment would be the statement about is that gun real?
My husband was a 20-year Army veteran (retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel). He
knew the gun was real the moment he saw it, which was why he did what he was
trained to do. He put his hands in the air. This is the universal sign of surrender,
and then, he did not speak a word. He wanted Kenny to understand that he was
not a threat and that Kenny did not have to use the gun. I can only imagine his
surprise and anguish when Kenny put that gun to his shoulder and shot; thus killing an innocent, unarmed man. It would go against every value that this man had.
Finally, I am concerned about the precedent that this case sets. It is my understanding that this is the rst case of a school shooting to go to trial. The message
we have sent is that it is okay to bring a loaded gun to school and discharge it. It
says that the adults in a school building are not entitled to protection. I just pray for
understanding and the peace that only God can give.

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Press: What do you believe Mr. Bruce would have said about the verdict?
Jo Bruce: I know that Ken Bruce was saddened by the verdict. He was a 20-year
veteran that believed so strongly in the justice system, and it let him and his family
down. He would, however, want us to go on, to embrace all the joy that life can offer.
Press: Have you forgiven Kenneth Bartley?
Jo Bruce: I forgave Kenny Bartley eight years ago. It is what my God calls me to
do. That, however, does not mean that I forget the pain he has laid at the feet of my
family. It also does not mean that I do not hold him accountable. To truly care for
someone, you must have expectations of them and teach them to be responsible for
their actions. This verdict did not do that.

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000HKGG

The Bruces, Tiffany, Chris, Jo and Patrick, talk with Assistant District Attorney Mike Ripley.

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BRUCE FAMILY:
Verdict is not justice

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