11/05/09 - Weakley County
Bruce Tuck, the alleged West
Tennessee serial rapist who police believe is responsible
for 6 West Tennessee rapes this summer, plead not guilty
Thursday morning to 22 additional charges stemming from
attacks on July 29 and August 5.
Those counts included:
6 counts of aggravated rape
1 count of aggravated sexual
battery
5 counts of especially
aggravated kidnapping
4 counts of aggravated burglary
3 counts of aggravated robbery
2 counts of theft
1 count of vandalism
Tuck told a judge he could not
pay for a lawyer. He said his bank account has been
depleted and his car repossessed.
Tuck was sent to Middle
Tennessee Mental Health Institute for a mental evaluation,
which could take up to 30 days.
Weakley County Sheriff Mike
Wilson believes Tuck is competent to stand trial.
"Do I think he's insane? No, I
don't think he's insane. I think you've gotta be insane to
break into someone's house and steal a VCR. That's what I
think," Wilson said.
Wilson said Tuck has pushed his
limits while in jail, adding that several times Tuck has
thrown his tray or refused to shower. According to Wilson,
Tuck has been isolated from other inmates as much as
possible.
District Attorney Thomas Thomas
did not say when Tuck might be charged in 3 Shelby County
rapes investigators believe he is responsible for.
Tuck will be back in court
January 7.