Brannan had been rated 100 percent disabled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Brannan's lawyers don't dispute he committed the crime, but they contend the jury wasn't given a chance to look into PTSD as a factor, and that the sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole because Brannan was "seriously damaged by his experience in the war," and is mentally ill and should not be executed. The VA also found him to suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidal thoughts.
Brannan was on medication to treat his PTSD and depression, but hadn't taken his meds for several hours before the deadly encounter with Dinkheller.
Dinkheller's law enforcement colleagues want the execution to go on, saying it would help bring closure to the deputy's family.
Dinkheller, 22 when he died, left behind a wife and baby.
