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WILKES-BARRE — The girlfriend of accused killer Sean Talmadge has been charged for lying about his whereabouts, only to later admit she had been with him but couldn’t believe he was capable of murder, police said.

Angela Dubeck, 36, of Wilkes-Barre, had a single felony count of hindering prosecution forwarded to county court after a hearing before District Judge Rick Cronauer on Tuesday.

The charges were initially filed July 7.

Dubeck appeared emotionally distraught before and after the hearing and could be seen crying.

According to an affidavit, Dubeck was interviewed by police shortly after Talmadge was identified as a suspect in the April death of Ramon Torres, 23, whose decomposing body was found last month in the basement of a residence on South Franklin Street. Talmadge, who police said was homeless, had been at large since the body was discovered.

Dubeck told police she had no knowledge of Talmadge’s whereabouts and understood she would face criminal charges if she lied, according to the affidavit.

Police later learned Dubeck and Talmadge were seen together watching fireworks on the porch of a Carey Avenue residence July 4 and in an alley near Walnut Street the next day, the affidavit says.

Confronted with the information July 6, Dubeck reportedly told police: “I know I (expletive) up and should have called, but I just don’t believe he could have killed anyone.” She acknowledged she had been with Talmadge multiple times since she was first interviewed, the affidavit says.

Dubeck’s attorney, Nicole Thompson Lermitte of the Luzerne County Public Defenders Office, argued the charges should be dismissed, and that her client had “no duty to take affirmative action.” She also said her client never provided false information to authorities.

Prosecutor Maime Philips, however, said Dubeck never told officers she had been with Talmadge several times as authorities were searching for him.

Talmadge also was scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Cronauer on Tuesday, but it was continued so Talmadge could apply for conflict counsel.

Talmadge, who appeared for the hearing via video conference, denied stabbing Torres to death.

“I just want you to know, I didn’t kill him,” Talmadge told Cronauer.

The judge advised Talmadge to refrain from discussing specifics of the case.

Dubeck is scheduled for formal arraignment at the Luzerne County Courthouse at 10 a.m. Oct. 5. Cronauer modified her bail from $50,000 to $7,500.

Angela Dubeck, 36, of Wilkes-Barre, is led from district court Tuesday following her preliminary hearing. (Travis Kellar | Times Leader)
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Dubeck-3.jpg.optimal.jpgAngela Dubeck, 36, of Wilkes-Barre, is led from district court Tuesday following her preliminary hearing. (Travis Kellar | Times Leader)

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By Travis Kellar

[email protected]

Reach Travis Kellar at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @TLNews