Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 22-year-old Tavion Turner of Jamestown pleaded guilty yesterday morning before Chautauqua County Court Judge David Foley to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the lesser included offense on the day his jury trial was set to begin.

On November 28, 2017, at approximately 6:50 p.m., the defendant fatally stabbed 22-year-old Dyllan Ownbey during a struggle on Willard Street in the City of Jamestown. The victim was taken to UPMC Chautauqua where he died from a stab wound to his upper chest area.  

Turner faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Foley on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to remain in custody at the Chautauqua County Jail on $1,000,000.00 bail. 

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office was appointed as a special prosecutor after the defendant’s previous defense attorney, Jason Schmidt, was elected as Chautauqua County District Attorney in 2020.

DA Flynn commends the Jamestown Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary W. Hackbush of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney John G. Schoemick of the Felony Trials Bureau.