Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 67-year-old James L. Allen of Buffalo has been arraigned on one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony). The defendant was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Carrie Phillips on Saturday, November 12, 2022.

It is alleged that on Friday, November 4, 2022, at approximately 1:35 p.m., the defendant and his girlfriend were involved in a verbal altercation inside of their shared home on Cambridge Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of stabbing the victim in the abdomen with a kitchen knife during the argument. After the victim was stabbed, the defendant allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with an adolescent male. The female victim was taken by ambulance to ECMC with physical injuries. The male victim suffered a minor cut to his right hand during the assault.

Allen was initially arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Carrie Phillips on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Allen was charged with one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony), one count of Assault in the Third Degree, one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanors) and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation). Bail was set at $25,000 cash, property and partially secured bond.

The victim, a 44-year-old female, died from her injuries at ECMC on Friday, November 11, 2022. The defendant was arraigned on the additional charge the next day.

Allen is scheduled to return on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He is being held without bail.

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

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

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Gary W. Hackbush of the Homicide Unit and Assistant District Attorney Meredith M. Mohun 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.