Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 30-year-old Abouycea D. Thornton of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony), one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Aggravated Criminal Contempt (Class “D” felonies).

It is alleged that on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to a reported fight on the 400 block of Berkshire Avenue near Bailey Avenue. The defendant is accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend and fatally beating her new boyfriend with a metal pipe. The defendant allegedly committed the attack while knowingly in violation of an existing order of protection issued on behalf of the female victim following a prior domestic violence-related offense.  

Both victims were taken by ambulance to ECMC. One victim, a 29-year-old Nicholas Grazes of Buffalo, died from his injuries. The female victim was treated for injuries to her arm and released from the hospital.

Thornton is scheduled to return on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to remain held without bail.

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

An order of protection issued on behalf of the female victim remains in effect.

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

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