God Speaks

Manatee man: God told him to kill his mother

Halle Stockton

Published: Monday, January 26, 2009 at 11:25 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 26, 2009 at 11:28 a.m.

MANATEE COUNTY – A 43-year-old man told authorities that God told him to kill his mother, and he was arrested after threatening her and three deputies Sunday evening.

Bruce Treani, 43, woke his mother Saturday and told her she works for the devil and “I know what God wants me to do now,” according to a Manatee Sheriff’s report.
His 75-year-old mother became fearful of her son, so she gave him $1,000 on Sunday to leave their shared residence in the 300 block 47th Street West in Palmetto.

But around 6 p.m. Sunday, Treani returned to the home and threatened to kill his mother, the report said.
When deputies arrived, Treani was standing on the porch with his hands in his pockets, gripping a 12-inch wooden stick.
He threatened to kill the deputies, and they used a Taser to control Treani.
Treani was charged with domestic assault on a person older than 65, three counts of assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest without violence.

OK, now just a minute. The article says that the guy had his "hands in his pockets, gripping a 12-inch wooden stick." How do you hold a stick with your hands in your pocket? Unless, that 12" he was holding wasn't a stick.......



"Yo, Bruce. Hey, about that "your mother works for the devil" thing; I was just playin' with ya, man. Hope you didn't take me seriously."