Utah man accused of murder arrested for threatening victim's family: report

A Utah man accused of stabbing his friend to death in 2019 has now been arrested for sending threatening messages to the victim’s family, police say.

On Mar. 21, 2019, police said they responded to a report of a fight at a residence in Salt Lake City and when they arrived, they found Jesse Joel Bruce, 43, on the floor with a knife next to him.

In another hallway, officers found Cory Haney, 40, dead with multiple stab wounds to his head and neck, officials said.

Bruce pleaded not guilty on the murder charge and was in the Salt Lake County Jail until his bail was reduced from $1 million to $250,000 in June 2020, KSL reported.

Shortly after that, Bruce posted bail and was ordered to wear an ankle monitor and have no contact with Haney’s family, according to authorities.

On Nov. 19, 2021, Bruce was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for two counts of retaliation against a witness, victim or informant after allegedly sending text messages to Haney’s mother and brother, police said.

"Jesse threatened the victim's mother by saying he had documented evidence that the victim was raping women. Jesse said he would release the evidence if they did not 'stop your endless assault against me,'" KSL reported.

Haney’s mother was scared after receiving the messages, which included one saying, "You keep attacking me and my family in public, you know not the truth or what happened. Your guilt is driving you," according to KSL.

After this latest arrest, the judge revoked Bruce’s bail and he remains in the Salt Lake County Jail, officials said.