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Greek priest attacked downtown

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By JOSH POLTILOVE

jpoltilove@tampatrib.com

Published: November 11, 2009

TAMPA - The priest was lost in the Channel District and needed directions to Interstate 275, so he tapped a U.S. Marine Reservist on the arm and, in a thick Greek accent, asked for help.

That's how police say the incident began.

But Lance Cpl. Jasen Bruce said the man, who was wearing a robe, sandals and had a long beard, propositioned him in English and grabbed his genitals.

Both versions of events end the same way - with the priest recovering from a beating with a tire iron, the Marine reservist under arrest and police investigating a possible hate crime.

The Rev. Alexios Marakis, visiting from Greece, had performed a blessing of a retired Greek priest in the West Shore area before accidentally exiting I-275 into downtown Monday evening, police said. Marakis followed cars into the Seaport Channelside Apartments on Twiggs Street and got out to ask for help.

Bruce, a reservist with a West Palm Beach unit since March, had his trunk open so he could get dry cleaning out, police said. Bruce, who lives in the apartment building, was not in uniform.

Bruce grabbed a tire iron from the trunk, hit Marakis four times over the head and chased him about three blocks before pinning the priest, police said.

In a 911 call, Bruce made a derogatory comment about a man he said was a terrorist and was trying to rob him and had grabbed him in a sexual manner, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

When officers arrived, police say, Bruce told them he heard the man say "Allahu akbar" - Arabic for "God is great."

"That's what they say before they blow you up," Bruce said, according to police.

At a news conference Tuesday, Bruce's attorney said his client didn't understand what Marakis said.

"Lance Cpl. Bruce defended himself with the full legality of the law for being sexually attacked and potentially robbed," lawyer Jeffrey Brown said.

Bruce, 28, faces a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was released on $7,500 bail.
McElroy said Bruce "teared up when we told him that (Marakis) was a Greek Orthodox priest and not a terrorist."

Marakis, 29, was treated at Tampa General Hospital and released. He told investigators he's visiting St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs.

Marakis declined to comment Tuesday, saying he does not speak much English. The Rev. Michael Eaccarino of St. Nicholas said Marakis is doing well.

Before deciding whether the incident qualifies as a hate crime, police will determine whether Bruce's motive was based on a belief that Marakis was Arabic.

The Marine Reserve will wait for the investigation to conclude before taking any action, an official said.

In 2007, Bruce was accused of pushing a tow truck driver in the back and chest when his Jaguar was about to be towed, records show. Bruce told police the truck driver had grabbed him to stop him from getting into his car. Bruce pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery, records show. Adjudication was withheld.

Tribune reporter Jose Patino Girona and News Channel 8 reporter Peter Bernard contributed to this report.

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