DRUG TESTS ON PITCHFORK SLAYER LARGELY NEGATIVE

Man Who Killed Children Was Not Intoxicated

MERCED, Calif. - Despite official speculation, tests show that the man
who broke into a house and killed two children with a pitchfork was
not under the influence of drugs.

Merced County Sheriff Tom Sawyer said he was "absolutely shocked" by
the results of toxicology tests on the body of Jonathon David Bruce,
27.

"The whole event was bizarre. That's why I was hanging my hat on, and
speculating on, drug use," Sawyer said.

Bruce killed 9-year-old Ashley Danielle Carpenter and 7-year-old John
William Carpenter on Aug. 23 after breaking into their home. Three
siblings fled to a neighbor's house and called for help. Deputies shot
and killed Bruce after he came at them with the pitchfork.

Tests on Bruce's blood and tissues found no evidence of alcohol,
opiates, PCP, LSD, marijuana or methamphetamine and only a trace
amount of THC, the intoxicant in marijuana, Sawyer said.

Sawyer said Bruce's brain will be examined "to see if we can find
anything in there - brain tumors, a previous injury, things that might
have died in his brain because of drug use."

In February 1999, Bruce was charged with assaulting police officer,
resisting arrest and being under the influence of methamphetamine.