A Tarrant County jury has laid down the law in the case against Paul Branton, age 54, convicting him of murder and serving up a 15-year sentence on a silver platter. The Fort Worth Police Department's Homicide Unit received a nod of appreciation from the DA's office for their diligence and commitment to community safety in relation to the April 23, 2022, shooting that took James Jones's life.
It was on that day that Branton pulled up to Jones's residence, a place where one might expect the sanctity of friendship, only to shatter it with gunfire. The victim stepped out to greet his visitor, unaware that the unfolding scenario would be his last, according to a social media post by the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office. That post lays out the scene in stark detail: "That's when Branton fired multiple shots, killing Jones."
Further details of the conviction include the ensemble of legal professionals who participated in the prosecution. Assistant District Attorneys Tad Schmidt and Matt Hinojosa were at the helm, with Investigator Brad Gantt and Victim Coordinator Cristina Rangel providing integral support, ensuring that the case was packaged with the necessary evidence and care for the victim’s family.
