Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 45-year-old Adam R. Bennefield of Town of Cheektowaga was arraigned this afternoon before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane on one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony) and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanors).

It is alleged that on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot his estranged wife as she was sitting inside of her vehicle in the area of Richlawn Avenue and Shawnee Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim’s three children were inside of the vehicle during the homicide. The victim, 40-year-old Keaira S. Bennefield, also known as Keaira Hudson, died at the scene. The defendant is accused of committing the crime while knowingly in violation of an order of protection. 

Bennefield is scheduled to return on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. He was held without bail.

If convicted of the highest charge, Bennefield faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. 

The defendant has pending criminal charges for a domestic violence-related incident involving his wife. It is alleged that on September 28, 2022, at approximately 8:55 a.m., the defendant assaulted the victim by punching and kicking her inside of their residence in the Town of Cheektowaga. The defendant is accused of placing the victim in reasonable fear of injury or death by displaying a knife and a box cutter during the incident. The defendant is also accused of preventing the victim from leaving the home and took her cell phone to stop her from calling for help.

On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, Bennefield was arraigned before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice David Stevens on the following charges:

• One count of Assault in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
• Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors)
• One count of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
• One count of Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
• One count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation)

Bennefied was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. Prosecutors requested that the Court issue a temporary order of protection, which ordered the defendant to stay away from the victim.

Bennefield is scheduled to return to Cheektowaga Town Court on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings.  

“This defendant is accused of murdering his wife in the presence of her three children just a few days after being arrested for domestic violence. I am pleased to announce that this defendant was brought into custody where he will remain as my office pursues justice on behalf of Keaira Hudson and her family,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department, Cheektowaga Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and other assisting law enforcement agencies for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Gina M. Gramaglia of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.

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