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Highlands Today

BREAKING NEWS: Branham Found Guilty

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: September 12, 2007

WAUCHULA — Michael Branham has been found guilty of first-degree murder.
Jurors reached a verdict after less than 30 minutes of deliberation.

Branham shot his wife Janette, a prominent Highlands County lawyer, 13 times on July 26, 2005.
Branham showed no emotion as the verdict was announced in the courtroom, where he sat with an industrial chain and padlock wrapped around his body.

Janette's family prepared the following statement:

"A fair trial for everyone, guilty or innocent was something which was very important to Jani throughout her law career. And she would be pleased with the outcome of EVEN this trial here today.

We thank everyone for their prayers and support of our family over the past two years. We ask that as you think of Jani, please remember her for the good of her life and not how she died. Carry on the light of her good and caring ways."

Throughout the trial, assistant state attorney Steve Houchin presented several witnesses who said a divorce between the Branham couple was looming and one witness even testified Branham told him he planned to kill his wife.

Forensic professionals detailed the 13 shots, which were in Janette's front, back and side. Crime scene investigation found bullet casings throughout the living room, moving closer to the body of Janette. One investigator said because of the way the blood pooled around the scissors, they were there before the shooting occurred.

Several family members sat through the entire trial, even through powerful, emotional testimony and the viewing photos of the body taken at the crime scene and during the autopsy.

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