Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces the arraignment of 40-year-old Al-Shariyfa Robinson of 16 Geneva Street in Buffalo on two counts of Murder in the 2nd Degree and one count of Arson in the 2nd Degree in front of State Supreme Court Justice Penny Wolfgang.

On October 10, 2015,  Al-Shariyfa Robinson set fire to a rooming house located at 392 Curtiss Street. The fire caused the death of 64-year old James Hodges and 58-year old Edward Hughes.

If convicted of all the charges, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.

Acting DA Flaherty commends the thorough investigative work of Buffalo Fire Marshals Sean McKinnie, Paul Simonian, Edward Hughes (no relation to the victim) and Buffalo Police Homicide Detective Louis Cardona.

Homicide Bureau Chief Colleen Curtin Gable and Felony Trial Chief Paul J. Glascott are prosecuting the case.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.