Bruce sentenced to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter

Jesse Bruce, the man charged with involuntary manslaughter of Lric Elkins death this summer was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday.

Elkins was stabbed in the lung in June after he and Bruce got into an argument on June 5. He was later found stuffed in a trash can in an apartment 139 N. Grant Ave. by police.

Bruce was initially charged with second-degree murder, but his charge was amended to involuntary manslaughter. He plead guilty to that charge last month.

Judge Stephen Dunn issued the sentence after hearing comments from Bruce’s defense attorney Randy Schulthies, Bannock County prosecutor Zach Parris, and family members of both Bruce and Elkins.

Schulthies said Bruce hasn’t had a violent history and recommended a sentence of two years fixed jail time with five years indeterminate.

Parris argued Bruce has a high risk to reoffend and recommended eight years fixed of jail time and two years indeterminate.

Dunn said Bruce’s criminal history included DUIs, petty theft and drug possession–which is significant enough for the maximum sentence of 10 years.

Dunn added he will be serving five years fixed and the other five indeterminate.

Tyrell Dixey, the other man who was charged in the death of Elkins, had his charges dropped in August.

Dixey was initially charged with principal to murder, but after a state witness didn’t cooperate on the stand, had his charge amended to failure to report a death.

Parris said evidence is still being processed, which could lead to new charges being field against Dixey. The results of that evidence will come in late February.