Eric Scott Branch

[chris]

DC Number:  313067 Name:  BRANCH, ERIC S Race:  WHITE Sex:  MALE Hair Color:  BROWN Eye Color:  BROWN Height:  5'06'' Weight:  204 lbs. Birth Date:  02/07/1971 Initial Receipt Date:  05/05/1994 Current Facility:  UNION C.I. Current Custody:  MAXIMUM Current Release Date:  DEATH SENTENCE

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Aliases:
ERIC S BRANCH	ERIC SCOTT BRANCH

Current Prison Sentence History:
Offense Date	Offense	Sentence Date	County	Case No.	Prison Sentence Length
01/11/1993	1ST DEG MUR,COM.OF FELONY	05/03/1994	ESCAMBIA	9300870	DEATH SENTENCE
01/11/1993	SEX BAT/ WPN. OR FORCE	05/03/1994	ESCAMBIA	9300870	SENTENCED TO LIFE
01/11/1993	GRAND THEFT MOTOR VEHICLE	05/03/1994	ESCAMBIA	9300870	5Y 0M 0D
01/01/1993	SEX BAT/INJURY NOT LIKELY	11/18/1994	BAY	9300115	30Y 0M 0D

Note: The offense descriptions are truncated and do not necessarily reflect the crime of conviction. Please refer to the court documents or the Florida Statutes for further information or definition.

Incarceration History:
Date In-Custody	Date Out-of-Custody
05/05/1994	Currently Incarcerated

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Circumstances of Offense:

Eric Scott Branch was convicted and sentenced to death for the sexual battery and murder of Susan Morris on 01/11/93.

In order to evade Indiana police authorities, Branch planned to abandon his vehicle and steal a car from the University of West Florida. On 01/11/93, Branch attacked Morris in the university parking lot, and stole her red Toyota. Morris’ beaten body was discovered not far away, in a wooded area. Morris was found nude, with many injuries characteristic of a severe beating and a wooden stick was found broken off in her vagina.

The defendant was arrested in Indiana a few days after the murder.

Additional Information:

On 11/18/94, Branch was sentenced to 30 years for an additional sexual battery charge in Florida. This incident, however, occurred prior to the murder for which Branch was sentenced to death.

Branch was also convicted of sexual battery in the state of Indiana.