The Barry County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, January 24, 2025 charged John Branham of Barry County with one count of Open Murder, a felony carrying a penalty of Life in prison. Branham was also charged as a Second Habitual Offender as he has been convicted of a previous felony.
The charges stem from an incident on Wednesday, January 23, 2025 on Lacey Road near Dowling in which Branham is alleged to have assaulted his uncle, Terry Lee Traister II, who died from injuries sustained in the assault.
Branham was arraigned Friday and is being held on a $1,000,000.00 cash/surety bond. He will appear for a probable cause conference in Hastings District Court before Judge Michael Schipper on February 5, 2025.
