‘Spoiled’ or abused? Trial starts for man accused of murdering father

The trial of a former Corona del Mar High School student charged with murdering his father started Tuesday with lawyers painting dueling pictures of the defendant as a selfish killer intent on visiting his Internet girlfriend and as an abused son trying to flee.

Steven Bruno, 23, could face 50 years to life in prison if an Orange County Superior Court jury convicts him of murder with a sentencing enhancement of using a firearm. He is accused of shooting his father, Ernest, to death during a confrontation in an Irvine condominium two years ago.

The two allegedly were arguing about Steven Bruno’s plan to drive to Toledo, Ohio, where he would meet a woman for the first time after months of communicating with her online and through text messages.

Prosecutors allege that Steven Bruno shot his father in the chest and head to remove the “one obstacle” between his girlfriend and him.

According to Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Cynthia Herrera, he stole Ernest Bruno’s SUV, credit cards and cash to make the trip to Ohio.

“He was spoiled and he wanted his way,” Herrera said.

But Steven Bruno’s defense challenged any idea that the killing was planned.

The night of the shooting, Bruno grabbed a Glock pistol in the condo and contemplated suicide while hiding from his father in the bathroom, attorney Leonard Matsuk told jurors. Bruno fired as a reflex when his father came around a corner and charged at him, Matsuk said.

“To be sure, Steven had his own problems,” Matsuk said. “[But] he was gentle; he was kind. He was loving and he tried. He tried his best.”

According to Herrera, Bruno’s parents gave him a Saab convertible to drive in high school and frequently doled out cash.

“He was popular with friends because he was the kid with money,” Herrera said.

But family tensions grew after Bruno flunked out of a golf management program at Mississippi State University and returned to the family home in Newport Beach, Herrera said.

Bruno moved into the Irvine condo because his mother kicked him out when he didn’t find a job, attend college classes or do chores around the house, Herrera said.

Eventually, Ernest Bruno also moved to the condo because of marital problems. He kept a tight leash on his son, according to defense attorneys.

The elder Bruno would sometimes lock the condo, hand $10 to his son and go on weekend business trips, leaving Steven Bruno with access only to the garage, where he would survive on pizza and urinate in bottles, the defense said.

“The garage was a hole,” Matsuk said, showing a picture of boxes stacked almost to the ceiling with just enough room for a mattress on the floor, along with some drawers and a clothing rack.

Twice, Ernest Bruno slammed his son into a wall and screamed at him, Matsuk said.

Steven Bruno was afraid of his father on the night of the shooting, Matsuk said. “He knew he needed to leave,” he said. “He knew he needed to escape.”

Family members found Ernest Bruno’s body in the condo’s office a day after the killing. Authorities arrested Steven Bruno in Colorado hours later as he drove his father’s SUV toward Toledo.