Man accused in New Philly homicides pleads guilty to one victim’s murder, other’s assault

KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A vehicle drives towards New Philadelphia along Ferndale Road on Oct. 10, 2023.

POTTSVILLE – The man accused in the 2023 deaths of two men in New Philadelphia will spend decades behind bars after he pleaded guilty to third-degree murder of one of the two victims.

Lamour Branch was sentenced Thursday to 28 to 56 years in prison on third-degree murder and aggravated assault charges.

The murder charge was for the death of Hunter Mock and the assault charge victim was Angelito Caraballo. Both men were found dead near “The Sanchez” in a heavily wooded area near New Philadelphia.

Schuylkill County District Attorney Michael O’Pake said the plea agreement was made with the consent of each victim’s families.

“The families of the victims deserve to heal from these tragic events,” O’Pake said.

He added that, “as no individual has been held responsible for the death of Angelito Caraballo, that investigation remains ongoing.”

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