Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a 17-year-old male from Buffalo was sentenced yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case, a designated Youth Part judge, to a determinate sentence of 7 years of incarceration followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.  

His co-defendant, another 17-year-old male from Buffalo, was sentenced before Judge Case on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. The adolescent offender received a determinate term of 8 years of incarceration followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On January 31, 2022, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the adolescent offenders assaulted a man inside of an elevator at the NFTA Metro Rail Amherst station on Main Street in the City of Buffalo. The adolescent offenders, who were 16-years-old at the time of the crime, attempted to cause serious physical injuries by shoving, kicking and punching the victim. One of the teenagers was found in possession of metal knuckles, which are believed to have been used as a weapon to assault the victim.

The victim, 67-year-old Michael Cason of Buffalo, later died at a rehabilitation facility on February 21, 2022.

Both adolescent offenders pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree (Class “C” violent felony), the highest charge in the indictment against them, on September 27, 2022. At sentencing, Judge Case denied youthful offender adjudication for both adolescent offenders.

DA Flynn commends the NFTA Transit Police for their work in this investigation.   

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joelle M. Marino and Chief Patrick B. Shanahan of the Felony Trials Bureau.