Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Joshua E. Wilson of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to a determinate sentence of 22 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On May 4, 2020, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the defendant killed 71-year-old Diane M. Wolfe inside of her Yorkshire Avenue home in the Town of Tonawanda by beating her with a gardening tool from her yard. After committing the homicide, the defendant stole the victim’s vehicle and other items from her home.

Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) on April 29, 2022. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge ahead of his jury trial scheduled to commence the following week.

DA Flynn commends the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in the investigation as well as other law enforcement agencies for their assistance, including U.S. Marshals Service, Utica Police Department, Buffalo Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. DA Flynn also commends Homicide Victim/Witness Protection Case Manager Kimberly Rapp.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eugene T. Partridge, III of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas C. Bussi of the Felony Trials Bureau.