A trial date has been set in the case of two men charged with luring a homeless man to his death in Christiansted in April 2023. Police investigators say defendants Elijah Spencer and Ryan Branch are accused of murder, assault, reckless endangerment and using an illegal firearm in the commission of a violent crime.
A Nov. 12 trial date has been posted to the Superior Court docket with Judge Douglas Brady assigned to preside over the trial. The most recent proceeding held in the case took place this week when Branch appeared for an advice of rights hearing.
Both defendants were arrested and charged shortly after the fatal shooting of Milton Gordon on April 2, 2023. Investigators said Gordon was enticed to approach Spencer and Branch with the promise of a handout. Then, according to witnesses, Gordon was fatally shot.
The two accused gunmen were apprehended later, on April 21 during what’s been described as a violent auto accident. Branch was transported off island for treatment of injuries sustained in that crash, authorities said.
When the defendant appeared before Superior Court Magistrate Yolan Brow-Ross, the court found probable cause to formally charge him with the offenses filed in a charging document filed by the Attorney General’s office.
