Metro

EBENSBURG — The needs of a Carrolltown juvenile charged with criminal homicide in late September 2025 are being met within an area of the Cambria County Prison that is sight and sound separate from the adult inmate population, according to Donald Ochenrider, the prison’s major of security and investigations.

Judah Q. Courtney, 15, appeared for an interest of justice hearing Thursday in the Cambria County Courthouse wearing a red jumpsuit with his hands handcuffed to his waist. He was observed occasionally bouncing his right leg while the proceeding took place in front of Judge Tamara R. Bernstein.

An interest of justice hearing is a mandatory court proceeding that determines whether it’s legally necessary to hold a juvenile defendant in an adult jail. In Courtney’s case, Bernstein said the proceedings are required to be held within 30 days of each other.

Assistant District Attorney Hannah Myers questioned Ochenrider at the stand about Courtney’s living conditions within the jail.

Ochenrider said he’s part of a program review committee that meets with Courtney at least once per week. There have been no reported disciplinary issues with Courtney since the last hearing, he said, noting Courtney is on par with his age and is doing well mentally.

Courtney has access to medical care within the jail but hasn’t used those services, Ochenrider said, adding Courtney has his own cell with a bed and a restroom and is fed three meals per day.

There are two other juvenile inmates living in the same area of the Cambria County Prison as Courtney, Ochenrider said, noting Courtney has a “personality conflict” with one of the inmates. But there have been no other issues, he said.

Bernstein asked Ochenrider if Courtney’s interactions with the third inmate are appropriate, to which Ochenrider said they are.

Ochenrider, who communicates with Courtney’s teachers, said he’s doing well in school, too.

“I spoke to his teacher this afternoon, and he’s doing very well in school,” Ochenrider said.

Courtney’s defense attorney, John B. Lovette III, said his client regularly exercises in the prison gym.

“We believe his needs are being met by the Cambria County Prison,” Lovette said.

Courtney was arrested in September after Olivia Courtney, 32, and Ashley Cook, 38, were found dead in their home along the 100 block of Flick Avenue in Carrolltown Borough.

According to court documents, a neighbor requested a welfare check at the residence after Courtney approached the neighbor and said someone had “killed his dad and aunt.” The victims were later confirmed by Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees to be Courtney’s mother, Olivia Courtney, and a family friend, Cook.

At the time, Carrolltown Borough police said both victims were found dead from multiple stab wounds to the head and torso. Their bodies were discovered on the floor in the house’s living room area.

Courtney had blood on his clothing, made several “questionable” statements to police the night of the killings and had visible signs of recent injury to his hands, court records state.

Courtney told police he had taken a shower before finding the bodies. He also allegedly admitted to the deaths in online social media messages and in later interviews with investigators, according to court documents.

Bernstein scheduled Courtney’s next interest of justice hearing and a status conference for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.