North Main Street Mystery

North Main Street Mystery is described by ID as Ann Branson is found stabbed and beaten to death in her Kentucky home. There is little evidence at the crime scene and investigators struggle to find a motive. Ann's financial records provide the break authorities need to help catch the killer overseas.

Ultimately, Russell Winstead, her nephew was convicted of her murder. He had incurred huge gambling debts. He was sentenced to 20 years for robbery consecutive to the life sentence.

On the night Ann Branson was stabbed to death, a witness reported seeing her nephew, Russell Winstead, at or near Branson's driveway. No eyewitnesses to the murder ever came forward. No scientific evidence was ever produced linking Winstead to the crime. But Winstead was the immediate object of suspicion because he was known to have recently borrowed substantial sums of money from Branson to cover his gambling debts

As the investigation progressed, two developments sharpened the focus on Winstead. First, police found hidden under Winstead's mattress at home a knife consistent with that used to stab Branson. Second, Winstead's wife contacted police and changed her initial statement to them concerning a critical piece of the investigation: the time Winstead arrived home on the night of Branson's murder.
Winstead was charged with murdering Branson and with robbing her of a check he had allegedly written to her. He then fled to Costa Rica but was eventually extradited to the United States. The charges proceeded to a jury trial resulting in his convictions and sentences.
You can write to Russell at:

 Russell E. Winstead 214708   
 Kentucky State Reformatory
 3001 W Hwy 146
LaGrange, Kentucky 40032