Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 40-year-old Jamien L. Harris of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging her with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class “E” felonies).

It is alleged that on Sunday, November 21, 2021, at approximately 11:08 a.m., Buffalo Police responded to a residence on Highgate Avenue after receiving a 911 call for a reported domestic disturbance. When the officers arrived at the home, they allegedly encountered the defendant at the front door and saw a deceased elderly woman in the living room. Buffalo Police obtained a search warrant and allegedly found two loaded, unregistered handguns inside of the house.

Harris was initially arrested on the gun charge and arraigned in Buffalo City Court.

At this time, the death of the defendant’s grandmother, 90-year-old Catherine Jones, remains under investigation. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the victim died from a gunshot wound to the chest and ruled the manner of death as a homicide.

Harris is scheduled to return on Monday, May 2, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. She continues to be released on her own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.

If convicted of the gun charges, Harris faces a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison.        

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the Homicide Unit.

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