Continuance Granted in Lamour Branch Double Murder Case

The double murder trial of Lamour Branch, accused of killing two teens in New Philadelphia in the Fall of 2023, won’t happen until closer to the end of this year, at the earliest.

On Friday, Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Jacqueline Russell granted a continuance requested by Assistant Public Defender Ashley Sabol, who is representing Branch.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Mike O’Pake did not object to Sabol’s request.

Sabol cited three reasons for requesting the continuance. First, she’s still looking for experts to testify to help make her case. The other reasons are related. Sabol is pregnant and expects to be away from work until early-October. She said no one else in the Schuylkill County Public Defender’s office would be comfortable taking the case to trial in her absence.

Russell noted that a Fall trial period ends shortly before Thanksgiving and hinted that a trial could get underway after that. She did not seem open to hearing this case during a regularly scheduled trial period.

Branch, who appeared via video from Schuylkill County Prison for Friday’s hearing, said he’s OK with the continuance even though it would extend his time in prison beyond the 365 days the Commonwealth is required to bring him to trial on its charges. He officially waived his right to a speedy trial.

Russell scheduled a status conference in this case for early October, after Sabol returns to work.

Branch is accused of killing Hunter Mock, 18, and Angelito Caraballo, 16, in early October 2023 in a wooded area of New Philadelphia called The Sanchez. Mock was shot to death and Caraballo was stabbed.

Branch has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of third-degree murder along with numerous other related offenses in the deaths of Mock and Caraballo. He was arrested on those charges last year following a lengthy investigation.

A fourth person claims to have been at The Sanchez that night. During Branch’s preliminary hearing, Jahlique Sherwood testified how Branch allegedly shot Mock and then ordered him to kill Caraballo.

Instead, Sherwood said he ran from the scene until he reached a home and called police. Branch was arrested later at a property owned by his mother outside Mountain Top on a warrant in a separate case.

READ MORE ON THE NEW PHILADELPHIA MURDERS:

• Lamour Branch’s Attorney Requests Venue Change for Murder Trial
• O’Pake Won’t Seek Death Penalty in New Philadelphia Double Murder Case
• Lamour Branch Denied Chance to See His Alleged Baby Being Born
• Murder Charges Against Lamour Branch Held for Schuylkill County Court
• “We Had To Get It Right” – State Police, DA Discuss Length of New Philadelphia Murder Investigation
• After the New Philadelphia Murders, Lamour Branch Allegedly Didn’t Stop Talking About It
• Branch Charged with Both Murders in New Philadelphia Homicides Case
• Bail Revoked for Man Named in New Philadelphia Homicide Investigation
• Protest Seeks Justice for Slain New Philadelphia Teens
• Hearing for Lamour Branch on Burglary Charge Continued, Victim Has COVID
• Man Connected to New Philadelphia Shooting Free on Bond on Burglary Charge
• Branch Has Bail Reduced on Burglary Charges
• Branch Seeking Reduced Bail on Burglary Charge
• Details Revealed in New Philadelphia Homicide Case
• Police Rule Deaths in New Philadelphia as Homicides, Identify 2nd Victim
• One of the Deceased Found in New Philadelphia ID’d by Pottsville Schools
• 2 Found Dead in Wooded Area of New Philadelphia
• 2 from New Philadelphia Reported Missing

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