Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 20-year-old Troy K. Holman and 20-year-old Mikel Ayala, both from Buffalo, were arraigned this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on an indictment charging them with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony).

It is alleged that on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at approximately 9:44 a.m., the defendants, while acting in concert with one another, stabbed 35-year-old Tomas Sanchez multiple times during a dispute. The incident allegedly occurred in the hallway of a home on the 200 block of Ashley Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim was taken to ECMC where he died from his injuries.

Ayala and Holman are scheduled to return on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 2:00 pm for a pre-trial conference. Both defendants were remanded without bail.

If convicted of the charge, both defendants face a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.    

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

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Gary W. Hackbush of the Homicide Bureau.

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