LEWISTON, Idaho – A man convicted of murder will continue serving his life in prison as the Court of Appeals has overturned a Nez Perce County judge’s decision to grant a new trial.
Leotis Branigh III was charged and found guilty of first-degree murder in 2008. During his trial, Branigh decided to represent himself and his attorneys were “advisory” only.
After he was found guilty, Branigh requested a new trial due to “insufficient assistance of counsel.”
Nez Perce County District Court Judge Brudie heard arguments and held an evidentiary hearing where he reversed the jury’s verdict and ordered that a new trial be given to Branigh.
The Nez Perce County Prosecutor’s Office brought the case to the Court of Appeals for Idaho with the assistance of the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.
On Dec. 8, 2023, the Court of Appeals reviewed the case and ruled that “the district court did not have authority to consider a waived claim on remand and erred in granting relief on that claim.”
Now, that Branigh was denied a new trial he will continue serving his sentence of life in prison.
“After 15 years of fighting to keep Mr. Branigh in prison, I am thrilled the Appeals Court overturned Judge Brudie’s decision. My office can now focus our time and resources on the multiple other murder cases we have pending,” said Prosecutor Justin Coleman. “I especially want to thank Chief Civil Deputy Ceccarelli for her many hours of hard work on this case.”
