ERIE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FRANK A. SEDITA, III ANNOUNCED THAT 30 YEAR OLD PHILLIP KANE OF 3462 WALDEN AVENUE, DEPEW, PLEADED GUILTY THIS MORNING BEFORE COUNTY COURT JUDGE THOMAS P. FRANCZYK  TO CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE AND DRIVING WHILE ABILITY IMPAIRED BY THE COMBINED INFLUENCE OF DRUGS.  THESE ARE THE HIGHEST CHARGES FOR WHICH KANE COULD HAVE BEEN CONVICTED HAD HE GONE TO TRIAL. 

             KANE ADMITTED THAT ON FEBRUARY 24, 2011, WHILE HIS ABILITY TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE WAS IMPAIRED BY THE COMBINED INFLUENCE OF DRUGS, HE SWERVED HIS VEHICLE IN FRONT OF A TRUCK TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON GENESEE STREET IN CHEEKTOWAGA, CAUSING THE DEATH OF HIS FIANCE, 29 YEAR OLD ELISA MANNELLA. 

SENTENCING IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 4, 2012 AT 9:30 A.M. BEFORE THE HON. THOMAS P. FRANCZYK WHEN KANE FACES A MAXIMUM PRISON SENTENCE OF 1-1/3 TO 4 YEARS.