Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 22-year-old Tavion Turner of Jamestown was sentenced this morning before Chautauqua County Court Judge David Foley to a determinate sentence of 21 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On November 28, 2017, at approximately 6:50 p.m., the defendant fatally stabbed 22-year-old Dyllan Ownbey during a fight 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 pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) on July 26, 2021. The defendant pleaded guilty to the lesser included offense on the day his jury trial was set to begin.

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.