BELFAST — A Liberty man was indicted by a Waldo County grand jury, Nov, 20,  for knowing and intentional murder.

Kirby G. Bradford, 59, is charged in connection with the death of then 56-year-old Robert Bruso, who was found deceased outside of his Palermo home after officers carried out a wellness check April 19.

On Bradford’s official indictment, the date of Bruso’s death is listed as on or about Feb. 8, which was over two months prior to his discovery by police. The alleged murder weapon is named in the indictment as a firearm.

The cause of death was ultimately determined to be suspicious. Following months of investigation, Bradford was charged with the crime Sept. 18.

Bradford has been held without bail since his arrest, with Justice Patrick Larson assigned to preside over the case. Bradford is represented by Attorneys Caitlyn Smith, of Rudman & Winchell, and Jeremy Pratt, of Pratt & Simmons PA.

Assistant District Attorney Mark A. Rucci made the motion for the Harnish bail hearing Sept. 22, noting that Bradford had made his initial court appearance Sept. 19 to answer for an alleged crime that would previously have carried a possible death sentence — thereby creating the need for the Harnish bail hearing. 

At the Sept. 22 Harnish Hearing, Attorney Pratt reportedly told the court he did not want to move forward with the hearing at that point, but retained the right to do so at a later date, something signed off on by Justice Larson. 

According to Maine law, a “"Harnish bail proceeding" is a preconviction bail proceeding in which the State is offered the opportunity to obtain a judicial finding of probable cause that the defendant has committed a formerly capital offense, and the defendant, at the same proceeding, is afforded the opportunity to know and rebut the case against the defendant.

A new Harnish bail hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8, at 8:30 a.m., where Bradford will reportedly attend via Zoom.

Bradford is next expected to appear in court Dec. 2, at 8:30 a.m., for a status conference. 

Included in the Sept. 18, media report released by the Maine State Police is a note that Robert Bruso was known to own a golden retriever named Lenny and had not been located. It is unclear whether Lenny was ever found. 

In addition to his indictment for murder, Bradford was also indicted for one count of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in Liberty July 10. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com