POTTSVILLE — A Schuylkill County judge on Monday granted a continuance in the homicide case against Lamour C. Branch, the Port Carbon man charged with killing two New Philadelphia teens in October 2023.

Branch, 21, appeared for a status conference before President Judge Jacqueline L. Russell, who, at his attorney’s request, scheduled his criminal trial for May.

In June 2024, state police charged Branch with multiple counts of first- and third-degree murder and other offenses in the deaths of Hunter Mock, 18, and Angelito Xavier Caraballo, 16.

The victims’ bodies were found at “The Sanchez,” the nickname for the old mining area off Ferndale Road about a mile east of Route 209. Mock died of a gunshot to the head while Caraballo had been stabbed, police said.

Branch’s attorney, Public Defender Ashley M. Sabol, asked Russell for a continuance to allow more time for her DNA expert to prepare tests and review evidence. Sabol said she does not know exactly when the expert will be finished.

Russell subsequently scheduled a status conference for the defendant for March 9, jury selection for May 1 and his trial from May 4 to 15.

Branch was previously granted a continuance on his case in May.

By law, defendants have to be brought to trial within 365 days of charges being filed unless certain conditions are met — including if the case is being delayed at the defense’s request, Russell said.

District Attorney Michael A. O’Pake said he has no objection to the defendant’s request.

O’Pake previously said that, after consulting with the victims’ mothers, he would not seek the death penalty.

In October 2024, Branch waived his right to a formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty. He has been in jail since December 2023, when Russell revoked his bail for violating conditions of an earlier bail release by failing to meet with his probation officer and also failing to appear for a hearing in a burglary case.

Branch initially denied being at the homicide scene, but later admitted it, according to state police. Search warrants show that he told police about going with Mock and Caraballo and another man to New Philadelphia to take turns firing a gun. He claims the other man shot Mock.