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The Murder of Donna Branion Pt. One

The Murder of Donna Branion Pt. One
Nov 11, 2021 · 1h 32m 12s

December 22, 1967. Chicago, Illinois. After leaving work and picking up his son from school, Dr. John Branion, a prominent African-American physician who treated Martin Luther King Jr., returns home...

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December 22, 1967. Chicago, Illinois. After leaving work and picking up his son from school, Dr. John Branion, a prominent African-American physician who treated Martin Luther King Jr., returns home to discover that his wife, Donna Branion, has been shot to death. Police become suspicious of Dr. Branion’s behaviour and eventually charge him with the murder after discovering that the likely murder weapon, a Walther PPK, and four shells are missing from his home. Even though Branion appears to have a solid alibi and his defense team argues there was not enough time for him to commit the crime, he is found guilty at trial. While free on bond to appeal the verdict, Branion flees the country, but is recaptured years later and dies in 1990. However, questions remain about the validity of the original conviction. Was Donna Branion actually murdered by her husband? Was an innocent man wrongfully convicted? Or is the real answer a lot more complex? This week’s episode of “The Path Went Chilly” examines a very controversial murder case which is still debated 50 years later.

Support the show:

Patreon.com/julesandashley

Patreon.com/thetrailwentcold

Music: Paul Rich

Art: @fleshwadYT
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Comments
Barbara Kropp

Barbara Kropp

2 years ago

oops Branion.
Barbara Kropp

Barbara Kropp

2 years ago

Another idea-Could Banion and Donna have had sex that morning? Maybe they were kinky, and the strangulation was a result of auto-erotic activity. Then Banion returns to the home to kill Donna as part of his late morning, early afternoon errands. Sex in the AM may have been away to dupe her.
Barbara Kropp

Barbara Kropp

2 years ago

Banion murdered his wife. He attempted strangulation 1st. He may have set up a scene that looked like an accident or suicidal hanging. He returned to the house-either to make sure Donna was actually dead or because (for some reason) he realized she didn't die. Could she have called him? Did anyone look at phone records? When he returned to the home, and she wasn't dead, he shot her. It is entirely possible that he staged the ironing scene
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Author Robin Jules Ashley TPWC
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