State v. Branam

Darrell Hickman, Justice.

This is an appeal by the State questioning the trial court’s suppression of a statement made by James T. Branam. While the facts are somewhat complex, the question is not. It is simply a matter of whether Branam had waived his right to have counsel when he talked to the police. The trial court ruled that the State had not met its burden of proof in this regard and we cannot say the court was clearly wrong. The decision is affirmed.

Branam was charged with the capital murder of Phillip Hammett on December 30, 1980. He was arraigned in municipal court the next day and…