A key witness for the prosecution in the Lamour Branch New Philadelphia murders trial is now facing his own legal issues following an alleged incident over the weekend.
According to court documents, police in Minersville were called to a reported assault at the intersection of Church and Wagner streets at about 7:15 p.m. Saturday evening.
At the scene, police say they spoke with the alleged victim of the reported assault who was bleeding from both knees at the time. The victim said she and Jahlique Sherwood were having an argument.
During that argument, the victim said Sherwood was in her face and screamed, with his fist raised, “What do you wanna do?!”
The victim told police she pushed Sherwood away and that’s when he began punching her with closed fists on the head, face, and chest.
Sherwood then allegedly threw the victim on the ground, kicked her in the ribs, and spit on her. He then called for a ride and fled the scene.
Police have asked that a summons be issued to Sherwood to appear in court to answer to charges of simple assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct.
Key Witness
Sherwood, 21, of Saint Clair, was the key witness during the preliminary hearing in the Lamour Branch murder case. Branch is accused of killing two New Philadelphia teens, Hunter Mock and Angelito Caraballo, in October 2023 in a wooded area known as The Sanchez.
Sherwood says he was there when Branch allegedly shot Mock in the head. He testified that he fled through the woods after that happened while Branch called out to him, yelling his nickname, “Face! Face!”
Prosecutors believe Branch then stabbed Caraballo to death as Sherwood fled the area. Sherwood says he ended up at a home after running through the woods.
Branch is facing two counts of first-degree murder in the case.
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