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Cleric attack suspect airs his case on radio

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: November 13, 2009

TAMPA - A Marine reservist told a talk radio show host Thursday he was trying to defend himself against a sexual assault when he clubbed a man with a tire iron and chased him down the street.

The beating victim was a Greek Orthodox priest, who police said was lost and asking for directions in halting English.

Lance Cpl. Jasen D. Bruce took his story to Bubba The Love Sponge's radio show, finding a friendly audience.

Bruce said he had just arrived home at Seaport Channelside Apartments on Monday night when he was approached by a bearded man in robe and sandals, who propositioned him and grabbed his genitals. That's when he pulled the tire iron out of his trunk, he said.

He said he immediately called 911 and chased the man before pinning him down three blocks away. He said it's on the 911 tape. Police have not released the tape, saying it is part of the investigation. But a police spokeswoman has said Bruce made a derogatory comment on the 911 call about a man he said was a terrorist and was trying to rob him and had grabbed him in a sexual manner. Bruce, 28, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was released on $7,500 bail.

The Rev. Alexios Marakis, 29, of Greece, was treated at Tampa General Hospital and released.

Parishioners at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, where Marakis is visiting, rallied around the priest, angry about Bruce's allegations.

Bruce has been a reservist with a West Palm Beach unit since March.

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

During the radio show, Bruce was asked about a 2007 incident in which he was accused of pushing a tow truck driver when his Jaguar was about to be towed. Bruce, who pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery, said the driver swung a chain at him and slammed his hand in a door. But Steve Ray Allen, owner of Port Tampa Towing, denied that.

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