1976-04-15

Murder Suspect Released

Published April 20, 1976

Police have released a 22-vear-old man they questioned in connection with Thursdav's slaying of a downtown liquor store operator

Police said the man was eliminated as a suspect after officers had determined the 38 caliber pistol he was carrying had not been fired recently

The man was found hitchhiking about two blocks from the liquor store in which Joseph "Yosip" Branovic, 55, 4313 W. 9th. was shot to death.

Police said no other suspects are in custody. However. a detective said "We have a possible suspect but there's nothing definite. We're working on it."*

Branovic. owner of Yosip's Liquor Store. 110 E. 9th. was killed about 9 p.m. Thursday. officers said. He was found lying face down in a storage room by the operator of a bar next door to the liquor store

Potter County Justice of the Peace Roy E. Byrd said the storekeeper had i been shot once above the left ear with what appeared to be a 38-caliber weapon

The judge, who ordered an autopsy said he had received no new information in connection with the death

Police said a bullet removed from Branovic's body was sent to the Department of Public Safety crime lab in Austin for identification. The slug appeared to be no larger than a 38- caliber. police said.

Police said Branovic may have been the victim of an execution type killing" because of the absence of any sign of a struggle and the fact the victim's arms were at his side. Officers said this suggested that he was ordered to lie on the floor before being shot

Branovie was last seen about 8:30 p.m. the night of the killing by one of his regular customers

Services for Branovic are pending with N.S. Griggs and Sons Funeral Directors. Branovic was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and a native of Spolato. Yugoslavia and had lived here since 1955

Survivors include the widow. Marie Fides: a sister. Daria of West Germany: and a nephew