An Ypsilanti Township man who received a $1.375 million settlement after a confrontation with Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies in 2006 may be headed to prison.

Court records show Bruce Lee, 35, pleaded no contest to assault and weapons-related felonies stemming from a May 24 shooting near his former home in the West Willow neighborhood. He was also charged with being a habitual offender for his fourth arrest.

Prosecutors agreed to drop counts of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon at sentencing April 26. Lee entered into a sentencing agreement with Circuit Judge Melinda Morris, but details were not listed in court records.

Last September, Lee settled a federal civil rights lawsuit against the county for $1.375 million. He claimed deputies used excessive force during a 2006 confrontation after he tried to intervene in a traffic stop that involved a nephew. Lee's brother, Clifton "Pete" Lee, died as a result of asphyxiation during a related confrontation that night.

Two deputies were indicted on criminal charges in federal court in the confrontation with Bruce Lee, and one was acquitted at trial. The other pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations and received probation.

Lee was initially scheduled to go on trial in February, but his attorneys requested a delay while they investigated the evidence. Prosecutors indicated they would call up to 10 witnesses at trial, which was scheduled to begin with jury selection on May 17. 

Court records state Lee posted a $200,000 bond in October, and was ordered to serve house arrest at his mother’s residence in Romulus.

Lee also turned over a handgun to investigators prior to his release, per Morris’ order. Authorities said he used it to fire into an occupied vehicle parked in the area of Cayuga and Eugene streets May 24.

The bullet pierced the headrest of the driver’s seat, but no one was injured. Authorities said he fired at Corey Brown following a dispute that involved a woman. 

Lee was arrested shortly after the incident. At previous hearings, Lee’s attorneys argued Brown was also armed, and Lee acted in self-defense.

Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.