Branch v. State

The Supreme Court affirmed the circuit court’s summary denial of Eric Scott Branch’s second successive motion for postconviction relief filed under Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.851 and denied Branch’s petition for a writ of habeas corpus, holding that Branch was not entitled to relief on his claims. Specifically, the court held (1) the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in denying Branch’s requests for public records pursuant to Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.852; (2) the circuit court did not err when it summarily denied Branch’s claim that he was ineligible for the death penalty; (3) the circuit court properly rejected Branch’s claim that the length of time that he has spent on death row amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment; and (4) Branch’s habeas claims were both procedurally barred and without merit. View "Branch v. State" on Justia Law