POTTSVILLE — Joshua M. Lukach goes on trial today in Schuylkill County Court for 10 crimes resulting from what prosecutors allege was his role in the robbery and murder of a Pottsville businessman in August 2015.
Jury selection is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. for Lukach, 22, of New Philadelphia, who is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, possessing instrument of crime, access device fraud, theft and receiving stolen property.
The trial, over which Judge Jacqueline L. Russell will preside, will begin as soon as jury selection is completed.
Pottsville police charge Lukach with robbing and killing John Brock, the owner of the now-closed Pottsville Bike and Board Shop, 125 W. Market St., in the early morning hours of Aug. 6, 2015, at the victim’s 14 S. 12th St. home. Police said Lukach and Shavinskin N. Thomas, 25, of Pottsville, stabbed Brock and stole money, keys and cards from him.
Police said Brock’s bedroom was in disarray when they entered it, with blood pooling on the bed and two blood-soaked pillows. Police also said they found a knife and a box cutter in Brock’s house.
On April 13, 2017, Thomas pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other crimes. Russell sentenced him to serve 27 to 60 years in a state correctional institution; part of Thomas’ plea agreement requires that he testify against Lukach.
Thomas, who is serving his sentence at State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy, had starred in basketball at Pottsville Area High School and later played with the Schuylkill Firedogs in the Eastern Basketball Alliance.
State Deputy Attorney General Philip M. McCarthy, a Mahanoy Plane native, is prosecuting the case, while Jeffrey M. Markosky, Mahanoy City, is defending Lukach.
Prosecutors originally intended to seek the death penalty for Lukach, but withdrew that request on April 27, 2016. Now, Lukach faces a possible life sentence, which in Pennsylvania includes no possibility of parole, if convicted of first- or second-degree murder.
The start of the trial has been postponed several times due to evidentiary issues, which eventually were resolved by state appellate courts.
Contact the writer: pbortner@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6014
Defendant: Joshua M. Lukach
Age: 22
Residence: New Philadelphia
Charges: First-degree murder, conspiracy, second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, possessing instrument of crime, access device fraud, theft and receiving stolen property