Buffalo Man Sentenced for Fatally Shooting Victim with Illegal Gun in Summer 2022

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 39-year-old Jonathan Whitsett of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to 35 years to life in prison.

On Saturday, June 18, 2022, at approximately 11:40 p.m., the defendant intentionally shot the victim with an illegal gun. The crime occurred inside of the defendant’s vehicle, which was parked in the vicinity of Manhattan Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 36-year-old William P. Cobb, III, was transported in another private vehicle to ECMC where he later died from his injuries. 

In May 2024, a jury found Whitsett guilty of one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-II” felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). Jurors rendered their decision after approximately five hours of deliberation following a more than six-day trial, convicting the defendant of all counts in the indictment against him. 

“I hope that the family of the victim feels that justice has been served by this defendant being convicted of all counts and receiving the maximum sentence on the murder charge plus an additional ten years in prison for possession of an illegal gun,” said Acting DA Mike Keane.   

Acting DA Keane commends Detective Adam Stephany, Detective Mark Costantino, Detective Michelle Palamara, Lieutenant Mark Goodspeed and Officer Brendan Barren of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Eugene T. Partridge, III of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Brown of the Felony Trials Bureau.