EXECUTION TO PROCEED

It appears the execution of the murderer of a University of West Florida student two decades ago will proceed as scheduled on February 22^nd. Eric Branch’s appeal of his death sentence was denied Monday by the Florida Supreme Court, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Circuit Court Judge Ed Nickinson originally denied the Branch motion. The Supreme Court on Monday affirmed Nickinson’s decision. Branch was convicted of attacking Susan Morris in January 1993 as she walked to her car at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. Branch dragged Morris into a nearby wooded area, where he beat, strangled and sexually battered her. Gov. Rick Scott signed Branch’s death warrant last Friday.