Man pleads not guilty after confessing on camera to wrecking ex's SUV

A 24-year-old St. Croix resident has entered not guilty pleas to charges of property destruction and vehicle tampering, despite having confessed to the incident on police body camera three weeks earlier.

K'Mani Bruce of Catherine's Rest appeared Wednesday before Magistrate Judge Yolan C. Brow Ross at the R.H. Amphlett Leader Justice Complex in Kingshill. He waived the formal reading of charges and pleaded not guilty to destruction of property with a domestic violence element and to damaging or tampering with a vehicle.

The charges relate to an incident on September 29, 2026, in the parking lot of Acute Alternative Medical Group Urgent Care in Estate Diamond. Twanisha John, who was working at the clinic that evening, heard loud smashing sounds in the lot and saw a white four-door sedan leave at speed. When her shift ended around 8:00 p.m., John found that nearly all the windows on her silver 2028 Toyota Highlander had been shattered, with only the driver's side glass remaining.

During questioning at the Ancimo D. Marshall Command station, VIPD Officer Jordan C. Edwards informed Bruce that surveillance video had captured his white Acura TSX departing the medical complex. Bruce's initial explanation then collapsed. According to police, Bruce responded by asking, "So you saw me on the camera?" before stating he had used a handheld wrench to damage the vehicle because he was angry.

Bruce was held at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility at Golden Grove following mandatory domestic violence procedures. He was released on a $505 bond provided by a third party.

Magistrate Judge Brow Ross assigned the case to Superior Court Judge Yvette Ross-Edwards and placed it on Track Two, which sets a 180-day deadline for resolution. The prosecution must deliver initial discovery materials within 15 days, and defence motions are due within 30 days. A mandatory discovery conference is scheduled for December 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 214 to determine whether the case will proceed to trial or be settled through a plea agreement.