Naman Shrestha
In the episode titled ‘After the Verdict: Stanley & Jerry’ of A&E’s ‘Accused: Guilty or Innocent,’ the focus is on two unrelated cases involving Stanley Jensen and Jerry Mittelstadt. While the latter was acquitted of killing a man on the road due to his reckless driving, Stanley was accused of shooting one of his tenants, Marc Bruss, to death in his rental property. As the investigators gathered enough evidence against him, he claimed that he had killed Marc in self-defense. The documentary features an exclusive interview with him as he gives a detailed version of his story of the fateful night.
Stanley Jensen Claimed Self-Defense in the Murder Case of Marc Bruss
Born in 1961 to Aphrodite Hughes, Stanley Antony Jensen grew up in the company of his siblings — a brother named Walter Jensen and a sister named Julia Jensen. Described as a kind-hearted and helpful individual, Stanley served in the Air Force. While being the primary caregiver of his mother, he also owned a property in the 2800 block of SE 59th Street in Ocala, Florida, which he rented out to a man named Jimmy Eadie, whom he also considered his friend. Trouble began when he rented out a bedroom to Marc Bruss in the same trailer as Jimmy. As per reports, Marc stopped paying rent to Stanley after two weeks of moving into the property.
Reports suggest that the new tenant also indulged in substance abuse, especially methamphetamine. Stanley claimed that when his patience was tested to the limit, he went inside the property and removed Marc’s belongings on October 25, 2019. Upon seeing his items outside the property, Marc argued with the property owner and called the authorities, who explained the eviction process to Stanley, telling him that he could not evict the tenant without making the necessary arrangements. Later that same day, Stanley alleged, he heard someone yelling outside his house, which was next to the rental property.
As per Stanley’s claims, Marc threatened him with a machete when he went to inspect the alleged yelling inside the property. He further claimed that when Marc allegedly refused to put down the machete, he shot him six times in self-defense. Following the shooting, the authorities arrived at the scene around 8:30 pm and found Marc Bruss dead inside his rented property. Stanley was taken into custody immediately and questioned about the incident. He was eventually arrested for second-degree murder and transported to the Marion County Jail, where the 57-year-old landlord was held without bond.
Stanley Jensen is Serving His Sentence at a Florida Prison Facility
More than two years later, Stanley Jensen’s trial for the murder of Marc Bruss commenced around April 2022. During the trial, the prosecution argued that he had no right to be inside the property without the permission of the tenant. On the other hand, the defense claimed that, given his personal friendship with the other tenant in the same property, Jimmy Eadie, he had the right to be there. It was argued that not only did Marc not pay his rent, but Stanley also suspected possible drug activity at the property. The jury was presented with two accounts of what had happened before Stanley shot Marc Bruss. In the closing statements, the defense emphasized that there were no eyewitnesses to the incident, and the sequence of shots could not be determined by the medical examiner or a crime scene reconstructionist.
Focusing on the high amount of methamphetamine found in Marc’s system, the defense also argued that he had been acting violently due to the drugs. Stanley also took the stand in his trial and mentioned he regretted the entire ordeal. He said that he shot Marc in self-defense and also to protect his friend, Jimmy, who he thought was also present in the house. After hearing both sides, the jury deliberated and reached a final verdict. Finally, on April 27, 2022, Stanley Jensen was convicted of second-degree murder, after which the defense expressed their disappointment outside the courtroom. Following the verdict, Stanley’s sister was devastated as she claimed the jury “were wrong” in convicting her brother. His mother was also deeply saddened by it, but couldn’t put it into words.
With his sentencing hearing looming, Stanley and his defense counsel pleaded for leniency. Before the sentencing, in July 2022, he took the stand and apologized to the family of Marc, before expressing his gratitude to his own family and friends for supporting him throughout the trial. He stated, “I’ve been a Christian most of my adult life. What happened that night should not have happened. I’m so remorseful. I’m going to live with this for the rest of my life.” Ultimately, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with a 25-year minimum mandatory, for killing one of his tenants. On top of that, he was also ordered to pay fines and court costs. Soon after the conviction and sentencing, the defense appealed the jury’s decision by filing an appeal, which was later denied by the appeals court. As of today, the 63-year-old convict is incarcerated at Marion Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida, with his release date scheduled for 2071.
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