Branham v. State

George Rose Smith, Justice.

On September 13, 1980, the appellant shot and killed Bill Allen and shot and so wounded Dickie Walker that Walker was permanently blinded. The crimes occurred at Donaldson in Hot Spring county, but after a change of venue the case was tried in Saline county. The jury found Branham guilty of the four felonies charged and sentenced him to serve 40 years for first-degree murder, 20 years for first-degree battery, 5 years for possession of a firearm by a felon, and 2 years for theft of property. The judge directed that the sentences be served consecutively. Various…