The man convicted of the murder of another man in the Lewiston Orchards in 2007 will get a new trial.
According to the Lewiston Tribune, 2nd District Judge Jeff Brudie has ordered a new trial for Leotis Branigh, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2009 without the possibility of parole for the alleged murder of Michael Johnston.
Leotis Branigh
The 45-year-old Branigh represented himself at his 2008 trial after strong disagreements with his attorney, Charles Kovis, led them to split — although Kovis stayed on in an advisory role. Late last week, Judge Brudie granted Branigh’s motion for a new trial based on ineffective counsel, partly because of Kovis’ decision to change strategy right before the trial without informing his client.
Branigh was charged in 2007 with shooting Johnston outside Johnston’s home and leading police on a high-speed chase. The fatal shooting occurred less than a year after Branigh was released from prison on a separate conviction. Branigh was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, with an additional 15-year prison term for using a firearm in the case. (Lewiston Tribune)
