Trooper shooting suspect in court, some charges dropped

Picture of Steven Branscome when he was caputred in Northeast Texas

By: WSLS News Staff | WSLS
Published: May 09, 2008

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The man charged with shooting a Giles County Virginia State Trooper just over the state line in West Virginia, has some charges dropped against him.

Steven Branscome had three separate court hearings in West Virginia today.

At one, the judge dropped a charge of grand larceny for stealing a pick-up truck, because the prosecution did not have enough evidence to link Branscome to the crime.

At another, the judge reduced the charge of malicious wounding of a police officer to just malicious wounding, since the officer who was shot is not from West Virginia. A grand jury can make the decision to change that back.

Overall, the judge certified two of the charges that Branscome faces. That means they will go to a grand jury. The third charge is endangerment.

10 On Your Side's Rosa Duarte will have what went on in court tonight on WSLS at 5:00 p.m.