Who Is Eric Scott Branch? Florida to Execute Man Convicted of College Student's 1993 Rape, Murder

The state of Florida was expected to execute a man convicted of the 1993 rape and murder of a college student. Eric Scott Branch was set to be put to death by lethal injection Thursday evening at Florida State Prison.

Branch, now 47, was charged with the rape and killing of Susan Morris, a 21-year-old television production student the University of West Florida. Branch carried out the crime in an attempt to steal her car, according to evidence put forth in the case.

Morris’ body was later found in a shallow grave near a nature trail, according to the Associated Press.

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Branch appealed his execution on the grounds that the death penalty recommendation was not unanimous, which was later ruled unconstitutional. He also argued that 24 years on death row was “cruel and unusual” punishment. The Florida Supreme Court, however, denied his appeal in January, ruling that the new system does not retroactively apply to Branch’s case.

Source: YahooNews