An individual accused of murder, who inflicted severe self-harm by removing his own eyes and part of his tongue, has been deemed mentally competent to face trial.
Robert Brandon Keller, a 32-year-old resident of Georgia, USA, is set to stand trial for the killing of Bruce Dupree, a 43-year-old man whose lifeless body was found with multiple stab wounds beside an interstate in Bulloch County on October 14, 2024.
Keller, apprehended after being spotted with blood-stained hands and cash at a local store, engaged in self-mutilation while awaiting trial.
Upon his arrest, Keller was confined in Bulloch County Jail and charged with murder, armed robbery, carjacking, assault, and weapon possession, with authorities denying him bail repeatedly.
While in custody, court records from Law&Crime revealed that Keller proceeded to remove both his eyes and part of his tongue, prompting a competency evaluation to assess his ability to stand trial.
Psychologists Jeremy Gay and Daniel Fass, after interviewing Keller, concluded that despite his self-destructive actions, he was mentally sound to face trial and did not exhibit severe mental health issues during the alleged crime.
Dr. Fass’s assessment in April 2025 stated that Keller did not display signs of severe mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, and his cognitive abilities were noted to be above average during evaluations.
During a competency hearing in late January, jail staff testified that Keller denied having mental health issues and attributed his actions to hearing voices as a cover-up. The court ruled him fit to stand trial in a decision issued on February 10, with the trial date pending.
