Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 39-year-old Jevon Gaiter, also known as “Animal,” of Buffalo has been arraigned before Town of Tonawanda Court Justice Daniel T. Cavarello on one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class “A-1” felony. 

It is alleged that on September 21, 2019, at approximately 1 a.m., the defendant fatally stabbed 59-year-old Mark Bottita in the vicinity of Tonawanda and Vulcan Streets in the Town of Tonawanda. The victim collapsed outside of a nearby convenience store and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gaiter is scheduled to return on Monday, September 30, 2019 at 11 a.m. for a felony hearing. He remains held without bail.

If convicted on the charge, he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

DA Flynn commends Det. Capt. Joseph Fennell and Det. Lt. Hark of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Morgan of the DA’s Homicide Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.