Robert Brandon Keller, 32, is facing murder charges in connection with the death of 43-year-old Bruce Dupree, whose body was found on the side of an interstate in Georgia’s Bulloch County on October 14, 2024.
Despite the dramatic act of self-mutilation in custody, Keller was ruled competent to stand trial following a competency hearing.
Murder Charges and Arrest
Keller was arrested after an employee at Pojo’s noticed him with “blood on his hands” and “blood on the cash he paid with.” Authorities say Keller’s arrest was linked to the stabbing death of Bruce Dupree, who had multiple stab wounds when his body was discovered.
Keller was charged with two counts of murder, armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm or knife in the commission of a felony.
Self-Mutilation While in Custody
While in custody, Keller engaged in shocking acts of self-harm, reportedly removing both of his eyes and biting off a portion of his tongue. These disturbing actions led to the order of a competency hearing to evaluate Keller’s mental state before his trial.
Competency Evaluation and Ruling
Psychologists Dr. Jeremy Gay and Dr. Daniel Fass conducted an interview with Keller to assess his mental state and criminal responsibility. Despite Keller’s shocking self-mutilation, both doctors concluded that he was competent to stand trial.
They ruled that Keller’s actions occurred after the alleged criminal activity, and he did not display signs of a delusional compulsion or an inability to distinguish right from wrong during the crime.
Dr. Fass further testified that Keller did not exhibit symptoms of a severe, persistent medical illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Keller’s intellectual functioning and ability to answer questions were reported to be notably above average when compared to others the doctors had evaluated.
Keller’s Statements and Competency Hearing
During the competency hearing, two jailers testified that Keller had told them he was “not mental” and that he had fabricated claims of hearing voices as an excuse.
Following the evaluation, both psychologists confirmed that Keller was competent to stand trial, despite his self-inflicted injuries. The competency ruling was officially filed on February 10, 2026.
Trial Date Pending
As of now, Keller’s trial date has not yet been scheduled, but he will face charges related to the murder of Bruce Dupree. Keller remains in custody as the legal proceedings continue.
