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Investigation and trial photos of James Lee Dellinger and Gary Sutton in 1992

Feb. 2, 2023Updated Oct. 1, 2026, 9:09 a.m. ET
State forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass looks for clues at a Sevier County site on February 29, 1992, where the charred remains of a body believed to be that of Connie Branam were found. Branam has been missing since the body of her brother, Tommy Griffin, was found last Saturday in Blount County. Standing at left is state arson investigator Gary Clabo.
State forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass looks for clues at a Sevier County site on February 29, 1992, where the charred remains of a body believed to be that of Connie Branam were found. Branam has been missing since the body of her brother, Tommy Griffin, was found last Saturday in Blount County. Standing at left is state arson investigator Gary Clabo.
Knoxville News Sentinel Photo Archives
State forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass looks for clues at a Sevier County site on February 29, 1992, where the charred remains of a body believed to be that of Connie Branam were found.
State forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass looks for clues at a Sevier County site on February 29, 1992, where the charred remains of a body believed to be that of Connie Branam were found.
Knoxville News Sentinel Photo Archives
Divers from the Knoxville Rescue Squad search Little River on February 24, 1992, for a gun believed used in the shooting of a man whose body was found near Walland, Tennessee. The Blount County Rescue Squad also participated in the search.
Divers from the Knoxville Rescue Squad search Little River on February 24, 1992, for a gun believed used in the shooting of a man whose body was found near Walland, Tennessee. The Blount County Rescue Squad also participated in the search.
Knoxville News Sentinel Photo Archives
Family members, from left, Jenny Branam, 12, Viola Griffin, Lucy Griffin, 10, David Branam, 8, and James Griffin cope with the loss of Tommy Griffin and Connie Branam on March 1, 1992.
Family members, from left, Jenny Branam, 12, Viola Griffin, Lucy Griffin, 10, David Branam, 8, and James Griffin cope with the loss of Tommy Griffin and Connie Branam on March 1, 1992.
Knoxville News Sentinel Photo Archives
Ron Seals, left, Gary Wayne Sutton, center, and Jeff McCarter pictured entering the Sevier County Courthouse in May 1992.
Ron Seals, left, Gary Wayne Sutton, center, and Jeff McCarter pictured entering the Sevier County Courthouse in May 1992.
Bob Fowler/News Sentinel
Viola Griffin copes with the loss of her son and daughter Tommy Griffin and Connie Branam on March 1, 1992.
Viola Griffin copes with the loss of her son and daughter Tommy Griffin and Connie Branam on March 1, 1992.
Knoxville News Sentinel Photo Archives
Sevier County Sheriff's detectives Mark Turner, left, and Jeff McCarter, right, escort Gary Wayne Sutton to the Sevier County Jail on March 5, 1992, following Sutton's arraignment in Sevier County Court on first-degree murder charges in the death of Connie Branam.
Sevier County Sheriff's detectives Mark Turner, left, and Jeff McCarter, right, escort Gary Wayne Sutton to the Sevier County Jail on March 5, 1992, following Sutton's arraignment in Sevier County Court on first-degree murder charges in the death of Connie Branam.
Ladale Lloyd/Knoxville News Sentinel Photo Archives
KNS Dellinger
KNS Dellinger
News Sentinel Archives
Sevier County Sheriff Chief Deputy Mike Voncannon escorts James Dellinger to jail on March 5, 1992, following Dellinger's arraignment in Sevier County Court. Dellinger was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Connie Branam.
Sevier County Sheriff Chief Deputy Mike Voncannon escorts James Dellinger to jail on March 5, 1992, following Dellinger's arraignment in Sevier County Court. Dellinger was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Connie Branam.
Knoxville News Sentinel Photo Archives
Sevier County Sheriff's Deputy Ray Davis escorts murder suspects James Henderson Dellinger, left, and Gary Wayne Sutton into Circuit Court in February 1993. The pair are being tried for the February 1992 murder of Connie Branam.
Sevier County Sheriff's Deputy Ray Davis escorts murder suspects James Henderson Dellinger, left, and Gary Wayne Sutton into Circuit Court in February 1993. The pair are being tried for the February 1992 murder of Connie Branam.
Paul Efird/Knoxville News Sentinel Photo Archives
Gary Sutton was convicted of the 1992 killings of his friend Tommy Griffin and Griffin's sister Connie Branam in East Tennessee. He was sentenced to death along with his co-defendant and uncle, James Dellinger, for Griffin's killing.
Gary Sutton was convicted of the 1992 killings of his friend Tommy Griffin and Griffin's sister Connie Branam in East Tennessee. He was sentenced to death along with his co-defendant and uncle, James Dellinger, for Griffin's killing.
Tennessee Department Of Corrections
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