Suspect confesses to recent shooting death of social worker

Cordell M. Mitchell, Jr., whose age and address were not made immediately available, was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Jail on weapons charges.

Contributed photo Cordell M. Mitchell, Jr., whose age and address were not made immediately available, was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Jail on weapons charges.

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By Steve Bennish, Staff Writer Updated 10:08 PM Friday, September 25, 2009

DAYTON — A 21-year-old man arrested on weapons charges has confessed to the recent slaying of a social worker and handed over what authorities believe is the murder weapon.

Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer confirmed that information Friday, Sept. 25, and said his detectives plan to meet with county prosecutors on Tuesday to file a murder charge against Cordell Mitchell Jr.

Mitchell was arrested Thursday night by deputies and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force at 915 Steele Ave. in Dayton.

Police say Mitchell and another man tried to rob Stephen L. Branham near Branham’s residence in the 4300 block of Springcreek Drive in the early hours of Sept. 6.

Branham, a well-regarded social worker who facilitated classes on anger management for violent offenders, had just returned from a local club when he confronted Mitchell, Plummer said.

During the confrontation, Branham was shot twice, Plummer said.

Detectives at first ruled out robbery as a motive since Branham’s wallet and car keys were found near his body.

Plummer said Friday — after his deputies interviewed Mitchell — it appears Branham was an innocent victim killed “for nothing.”

The second suspect, who is known to investigators, could also face charges related to Branham’s death, Plummer said.

Mitchell, Plummer said, is a member of the Balla Boy Mafia, a small gang with ties to the Dayton View Hustlers, which has emerged in the last year as the most violent gang in the area.

Mitchell has a violent criminal past that includes a felonious assault with a deadly weapon conviction in April 2007, court records show.

He was released from prison in December after serving a two-year sentence for the crime.

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