Concerning your opinion in the editorial of Thursday, Sept. 13, about the Branham trial, you seem to be giving credence to hearsay. You say Michael's major contribution to his family's income was suing people. Just a couple of years before the shooting, Michael had a serious accident while riding a motorcycle. Along with other severe bodily injuries, he suffered a traumatic brain injury. After a long hospital stay, he came home to spend many days and weeks recuperating. If he sued, he was probably entitled to do so and if he received anything, it was undoubtedly an insurance company's money. You refer to "his long reign of bullying." Only someone who had known Michael a long time could make that assessment. How long have you know Michael? You also say, "Michael Branham has always thought he was smarter than everybody else." ...more

September 23, 2007

It took a week and a half to go through court proceedings, but it only took jurors 30 minutes to find Michael Branham guilty of first-degree murder. ...more

September 13, 2007

WAUCHULA- Take a look at photos taken during the Michael Branham trial at Hardee County Courthouse. ...more

September 13, 2007

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

September 12, 2007

WAUCHULA — Day four of the Michael Branham murder trial got off to an early and heated start Friday morning at the Hardee County Courthouse. The day began where day three of the trial left off, with Branham's defense attorney, Larry Shearer, trying to suppress witness testimony from Branham's friend and former attorney, James Kelly. Branham, a former Avon Park police officer, allegedly shot his wife, Janette, 40, a prominent Highlands County attorney, 13 times in July 2005. ...more

September 8, 2007

Judge Michael Hunter has a big job presiding over the Michael Branham murder trial. The high-profile case being held in Hardee County has required loads of jurors to be questioned before the trial gets going. From all accounts, Hunter and the attorneys on both sides have done a good job making sure a fair trial is held. ...more

September 7, 2007

WAUCHULA — The second day of the Michael Branham murder trial ended with 14 people in a jury box and a courtroom full of potential jurors. ...more

September 6, 2007