Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 32-year-old Jonathan E. Williams, also known as “Blaze,” of Buffalo was sentenced this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to 14 years in prison and 5 years post release supervision.

On May 16, 2021, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot the victim multiple times outside of a tavern on Grimes Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 48-year-old Thomas Martin, died at the scene.

Williams pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) on May 27, 2022. 

DA Flynn commends Detectives Ray Krug and Chris Plizska of the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Morgan of the Homicide Unit.