LITTLE ROCK — A man suspected of killing a firefighter and injuring two other Jacksonville emergency responders by driving into an accident scene appeared in court Monday, rambling loudly over his attorney while officials worked to set up his next hearing.
Bryce Allen walked slowly into the courtroom with an envelope clutched in his chained hands and a pained expression on his face.
Allen, who faces charges including first-degree murder and criminal attempt to commit murder, was in Pulaski County Circuit Court to determine if his mental evaluation is complete. It wasn't and officials set a new date of Aug. 20.
But as soon as the brief hearing got under way, Allen began talking loudly and sometimes incoherently, referencing guards beating him up, "changing [his] medication" and "attempting to kill" him.
"Get me out of jail," Allen said at one point as his attorney appeared to be trying to quiet him down. "Do something please. I need relief."
Allen was arrested in March after he drove into an accident scene on State Highway 161 in Jacksonville and struck two firefighters and a police officer, authorities have said. Jacksonville Fire Department Capt. Donald Jones died from his injuries. Allen is also charged in an Ohio case in which he is accused of striking a hospital security guard with his car.
As he left the courtroom Monday, Allen mentioned the word "persecution" and left the room saying, "I'll get back to preaching one of these days."
Allen appeared before special judge John Langston.