Branch v. Epps

MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER

MICHAEL P. MILLS, Chief Judge.

Lawrence Branch, the petitioner in this action, was convicted of the capital murder of Dorothy Jorden in the Circuit Court of Carroll County, Mississippi, and sentenced to death. The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed the verdict and sentence on direct appeal. See Branch v. State, 882 So.2d 36 (Miss.2004) (“Branch I”). Petitioner sought post-conviction relief and was denied. Branch v. State, 961 So.2d 659 (Miss.2007) (“Branch II”). Thereafter, Petitioner timely filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in this Court. The Court, having…