Sentencing delayed in Elgin car-ramming murder case
Sentencing for Timera Branch, a 35-year-old Streamwood mom convicted of first-degree murder for using her car to smash and kill her son's teenage rival in fall 2009 in Elgin, was delayed until Nov. 9 because of a potential psychiatric issue.
Branch faces a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison from Kane County Judge Allen Anderson, who denied her motion Wednesday for a new trial.
Defense attorney Liam Dixon said Branch's pre-sentence evaluation contains a diagnosis that was not supported by any medical documentation.
“It's a possible mitigating factor (for sentencing),” he said.
During a highly emotional trial in August, Branch tearfully testified that on the afternoon of Nov. 8, 2009 she was going to make peace with 17-year-old John W. Keyes, who had fought with her son, Lacorbek Benion of Elgin, the night before.
Instead, she saw him walking in the 200 block of Center Street, ran him down with her 1991 Chrysler Imperial but could not explain why. Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sams painted a different picture, with witnesses testifying that Branch swerved to strike Keyes, who died of massive internal injuries.
Witnesses also testified that after Branch rammed Keyes from behind into the building, Benion arrived in another car, got out and yelled #8220;Talk (trash) now#8221; to the mortally wounded Keyes before hitting him with a metal baseball bat.
Benion, 17, faces first-degree murder charges and is due in court Oct. 20.
A trial date has not been set.