Lang
1/7/22
Trial has been pushed back for an Iowa City protest leader accused of intentionally trying to blind police officers.
26-year-old Matthew Bruce was set to stand trial on February 8th. But during a court appearance on Friday, Judge Mary Chiccelly pushed that date back to May 3rd.
Bruce faces six counts of Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations Causing Injury. The Black Liberation Movement leader was initially arrested on August 31st, 2020 after a Black Lives Matter protest outside the University of Iowa president’s residence on Church Street. Police say Bruce pointed a laser beam into the eyes of multiple officers, causing injuries which needed medical treatment. He reportedly ran when officers approached him, and they located him later that night on the 100 block of South Linn Street.
Bruce faces six counts of assault on persons in certain occupations causing bodily injury and one charge of interference with official acts. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over 12 years in prison.
Nine counts of assault on a peace officer with intent to injure were dismissed. A case management conference on the remaining charges is set for April 8th.