Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 33-year-old Daniel C. Cain of Buffalo was virtually sentenced this afternoon by Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to a determinate sentence of 20 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On March 9, 2019, at approximately 12:41 A.M., Cain was inside his residence on Howlett Street in the City of Buffalo when he and the victim engaged in a verbal altercation. The victim then went outside to call for a ride home. When the victim returned to speak with the defendant, he was stabbed in the chest with a knife. As the victim turned away in an attempt to flee, the defendant stabbed him again multiple times in the head, back, and right arm. Cain then turned the knife on himself, causing self-inflicted injuries to his neck and chest.

Two other people witnessed the crime and ran from the house. One witness called 911 to report what happened. The defendant also called 911.

The victim, who spent a week at ECMC, received immediate life-saving surgery for the injury to his heart. He has since undergone multiple surgeries for his various injuries he suffered during the attack. The defendant remained in the custody of the Buffalo Police Department at ECMC where he underwent surgery for his self-inflicted injuries.

A jury found Cain guilty, as charged, of one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “B” felony, and one count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class “B” felony. The jurors rendered their decision after nearly five hours of deliberation following a one-week trial in November 2019.

DA Flynn commends Detective John Paradowski, Officer Nicholas Johnson, and Officer Peter Massici of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Justin T. Wallens and Assistant District Attorney Lauren Nash of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.