Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Jerome A. Cole of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).

It is alleged that on July 11, 2022, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant intentionally caused the death of his brother by shooting him with an illegal weapon on Thatcher Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 35-year-old Marcus Cole, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he later died.  

Cole is scheduled to return on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to remain held without bail.

If convicted of the highest charge, Cole faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.  

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Morgan 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.