Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Jared M. Adamski of Village of Hamburg was arraigned this afternoon before Hamburg Town Court Justice Carl W. Morgan on one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) and one count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony).

Five co-defendants were also arraigned this afternoon before Justice Morgan. Each have been charged with one count of Assault in the Second Degree for their alleged role in the crime under the theory of accomplice liability.

• Elexus O. Dean, 20, of Village of Hamburg
• Harrison J. Drozen, 20, of Village of Hamburg
• Connor E. Krone, 22, of Village of Hamburg
• Kayleigh A. Skybyk-Schuh, 19, of Village of Hamburg
• Larissa C. Smith, 18, of Town of Hamburg

The defendants are accused of conspiring to lure the victim to a wooded area near Heltz Road in Lakeview with the intent to commit an assault. It is alleged that on the late evening of Saturday, July 9, 2022, the three female defendants drove the victim to the location where the three male defendants were hiding in the woods. The six defendants are accused of acting in concert with one another with the intent to cause physical injury to the victim.

When the victim exited the vehicle, he was allegedly punched by one of the male defendants. The victim allegedly retreated back into the vehicle in an attempt to escape the attack. It is further alleged that defendant Adamski, while armed with a knife, engaged in a physical altercation with the victim inside of the vehicle. Adamski is accused of stabbing the victim multiple times in the upper leg area.  

The victim, a 25-year-old Brenden Benoit of Boston, New York, was fatally injured and died at the scene.

Adamski was held without bail. Prosecutors requested that the five co-defendants also be remanded. Dean, Drozen, Krone, Skybyk-Schuh, and Smith were held on $100,000 cash/bond or $200,000 partially secured bond.

All six defendants are scheduled to return on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. for a felony hearing.

If convicted of the highest charge, Adamski faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. If convicted of the assault charge, the co-defendants face a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

At this time, the homicide remains an active investigation. Additional charges may be filed.

DA Flynn commends the Town of Hamburg Police Department for their work in this ongoing investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty 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.