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Posted on Tue, Apr 19, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.

Former Tae Kwon Do instructor convicted of sexually assaulting children is sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison

By Lee Higgins

A former Ann Arbor area Tae Kwon Do instructor who admitted to sexually assaulting two of his students and possessing child pornography was sentenced today by Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Donald Shelton to a minimum of 20 years in prison.

Edward James Bruner, 58, of Scio Township, pleaded guilty last month to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of possessing child pornography. During his sentencing this afternoon, Bruner asked for forgiveness.

Edward-James-Bruner.jpg

Edward James Bruner

"I hope that everybody's lives that I affected, that somewhere later on that they find it in their heart to forgive me," he said.

Shelton responded, "Well, that's one thing Mr. Bruner when you're talking about adults. It's quite another when you're talking about children."

Shelton sentenced Bruner to a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison. He gave Bruner credit for 93 days already served. When Bruner is released, Shelton said, he will be subject to electronic monitoring for life.

Bruner was arrested Jan. 16 after he was driving on I-94 near Chelsea while sexually assaulting a 12-year boy, who was a student of his at Kitchi Tae Kwon Do in Dexter Township.

Two days after the arrest, police executed a search warrant at Bruner's home off Jackson Road and recovered child pornography. Then, another boy, who is now 19, reported that Bruner sexually assaulted him at a Chelsea home in 2004. At the time of that assault, Bruner was working at another Ann Arbor area studio.

Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Blake Hatlem said in court today that the victims' families and authorities were grateful that Good Samaritans called police in January to report the assault on the highway.

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.

Comments

bedrog

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.

He'll need his martial arts skills. Other prisoners don't look kindly on 'chickenhawks'. Can't see an early release for good behavior in this scenario....which is fine, given the poor recidivism track record of such folks.

alarictoo

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.

At least there is the likelihood of him getting to experience the same kind of situations that his poor victims faced.

alarictoo

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 2 p.m.

The sad irony is that now Mr. Bruner will receive special protection from the general populace in prison. Child molesters and pedophiles are considered the lowest of the low in the pecking order in the penal system, and without special protections would soon be eliminated from the prison population...

Henry J. Flandysz

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.

Of ten comments posted, you've censored five of them. For a newspaper to put up a blog for people to comment on controversial subjects, and then to stand in such arrogant, anti-democratic judgment on those comments is just wrong. Let the debate occur without the "speech pollice" hiding behind the scenes and selectively censoring people's comments. As long as there is no threat or anything like that, let the debate continue. Strong comments, even insulting comments are supposed to be protected under the First Amendment. Yes, I know you can get away with such censorship because it's a private blog, but it doesn't make it right. If you really do believe in democracy, and it doesn't seem like you do, let the debate continue, anger and all. You just can't expect everyone to be "gracious" and engage in total decorum in a democracy. Maybe this site doesn't really believe in democracy. Oops, change that--take out the "Maybe." And please don't use that phony euphemism "moderation." The Soviets would have loved using that word to describe their censorship of a wide range of topics.

Garden Goddess

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.

I hope he serves till the day he passess. He has no remorse for what he has done during a lifetime. He is truly a slick manipulator of people.. Always gave off a bad vibe. Never understand why he showed so much interest in my son. He has hurt my child who looked up to this man as a role model, He was not molested, but used as a cover to get to the targets he had planned to hurt. I am so thankful to all of the people that spoke up, and the folks that help catch him in action. You are my heros! Remember go with your gut, if it dosen't feel right don't allow it!!!

Henry J. Flandysz

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.

Judge Shelton was right in slamming this guy for molesting kids. But why does a Tae Kwon Do instructor get twenty years and thousands of Catholic priests get passed on to other parishes to molest more children? Most molesting priests are allowed to retire in comfort while their victims continue to suffer. Why such blatant miscarriage of justice?

Garrett

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.

Good question.

Jimmy McNulty

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 12:17 p.m.

He's looking for forgiveness, but there is no mention of any statement of remorse or apology to his victims.

jeanette

Wed, Apr 20, 2011 : 2:28 a.m.

Forgiveness will be the only way that the victims will be able to move beyond the horrible, horrible crime committed against them. Mr.Bruner you may never know if they do or don't, start earning it, pray everyday for those poor children that in the end they find their strength to overcome the wrong that you have done them.

RJA

Tue, Apr 19, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.

Great Job, Mr. Donald Shelton!! I so agree that it is another thing when we talk about children.

cinnabar7071

Tue, Apr 19, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.

20 years is a fair sentence, just glad he didn't draw Judge Morris.