Judge Issues Ruling on Jacksonville Murderer's Appeal as Execution Nears: Here It Is

Judge issues ruling on Jacksonville murderer's appeal as execution nears: Here it is

It didn't take long for a judge to deny Michael Bell any reprieve from his July 15 execution or validity to new claims decades after being convicted in Jacksonville.

Duval judge denies new trial for Death Row inmate scheduled for execution

Duval County Circuit Judge Jeb Branham on Tuesday refused to grant a new trial or resentencing hearing for a Jacksonville Death Row inmate convicted of the 1993 murder of a husband and wife. Michael Bell, 54, can appeal the decision to the Florida Supreme Court. He is scheduled to be executed on July 15.  Branham’s order followed a dramatic Monday evidentiary hearing during which two witnesses who were expected to say their decades-old trial tes…