Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 32-year-old Clarence H. Simmons of Buffalo was arraigned last night before Town of Tonawanda Court Justice Daniel T. Cavarello on one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A-1” felony.

The defendant is accused of stabbing the victim, whose identity is not being released at this time, at an apartment on Parkedge Avenue in the Town of Tonawanda. The victim was found deceased yesterday.

Simmons is scheduled to return on Friday, April 17, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail.

If convicted on the charge, Simmons faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

DA Flynn commends Det. Lt. Thomas Moore and Det. Jeffrey Campanella of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in the investigation.

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