Tallahassee Police have arrested a murder suspect in a case that happened 26 years ago.
James Branner was found dead at the Prince Murat Motel on North Monroe Street (it has since been renamed) in 1996. TPD reopened the case two years ago. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement then processed DNA found at the crime scene using new forensic technology. The findings pointed detectives toward Alan Lefferts as the suspect.
Following an investigation, detectives say they had enough evidence to arrest the now 71-year-old for killing Branner in a fight. Lefferts was taken into custody this week at his home in the Jacksonville area with the help of Baker County sheriff’s deputies.
