‘I don’t want to go to jail’ Keron Bruce cries to court as ruling nears

As the curtain is set to come down on the more than two years-long court battle between photographer Keron Bruce and Journalist Leroy Smith, Bruce seems to be now willing to make amends ahead of a court ruling in the cybercrime charges brought against him by the journalist through the state.

On Wednesday, Diamond Court Magistrate Sunil Scarce was slated to deliver his ruling in the matter but that was deferred and is expected to be handed down within two weeks. It would be the third time that the court’s decision in the matter was deferred due to the workload of the magistrate who explained this to both parties involved.

A few months ago, Bernard DaSilva who is representing Bruce, made a no-case submission to have the matter thrown out of the court but that was overruled after the court found sufficient reason for Bruce to lead a defense.

Keron Bruce is accused of being the main player behind the social media cartoon character Mudwata which over the years has been using the internet to name, shame, slander, and cyberbully Guyanese inclusive of ordinary citizens, politicians, public servants, lawyers, judges, and even those within the modeling and entertainment industries.

In April of this year, Bruce who claimed to have no relations or connection to the Mudwata Character, went on a Live Facebook Broadcast where he attempted to clear his name while seeking a live confrontation with known LGBT member Otis Pearson popularly known as Otisha.

During that Live broadcast, Bruce who spent close to three hours talking about buggery, his achievements, and the allegations against him in the ongoing court matter, reportedly further incriminated himself as he struggled to defend bugger allegations which were being leveled against him by Otisha.

In the previous court hearing before Wednesday, Bruce told the court that he did not want to go to jail and sought the Court’s permission to address Mr. Smith. Through the Court, Bruce said he wanted to know what Mr. Smith wanted so that he could compensate him (Smith) or give it to him so that he (Bruce) could return to his normal life. He told the court that the matter has been taking a toll on him and his family. In response, Smith in response through the court said all he needed was justice.

At today’s calling, Bruce sought to suggest that he felt his case was undermined by the Attorney At law who had been representing him from the day he was arrested and had been retained after he was charged with the cyber offenses.

Keron Bruce told the court that his wife is very anxious and uneasy as she is wondering if her husband will go to jail.

In January 2022, Keron Bruce was arrested by the police after journalist Leroy Smith reported that he named, defamed, and slandered him.

The police during their arrest and armed with a search warrant, removed several recording devices and other items from the home of Bruce which as part of the probe reportedly linked him to the Mudwata Character.

In April of 2022, Bruce was charged under the Cyber Crime Laws of Guyana. Since the charging of Bruce, the Mudwata Character and its activities saw a dramatic dwindle in its offensive posting against individuals and has sought to take on a more sober approach to its social media presence.