Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr announces that 34-year-old Marcus Gottsche has been sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia to 22 ½ years in prison plus five years post-release supervision for the death of 28-year-old Jasmine Armour of Buffalo. 

In June, Gottsche pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree. 

In February of 2011 after a night of drinking, Gottsche and Armour returned to his Buffalo home and a fight ensued after Armour started eating Gottsche’s leftover sandwich. Gottsche grabbed his rifle and shot Armour in the back as she tried to run from the home. 

In December 2011, a jury convicted Gottsche of Murder in the Second Degree and he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.  The verdict was upheld on appeal, but a motion filed by Gottsche last year found that he was denied effective representation by his attorney and the verdict was vacated. 

“In the blink of an eye, the defendant took the life of a young woman who didn’t deserve to suffer such a violent death,” says acting DA Flaherty. “We are satisfied that after five long years, justice was rendered.”

Acting DA Flaherty commends the Homicide Bureau of the Buffalo Police Department for its investigative work.

Chief Trial Counsel, Christopher J. Belling and Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Smith prosecuted the case.