Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that James B. White, Jr., 23, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to 25 years to life in prison.
On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at approximately 8:50 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot two victims with an illegal gun while on the front porch of a residence on East Utica Street. One victim, 29-year-old David Honer, died at the scene. The second victim, 24-year-old John DeShon Gibson, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was pronounced deceased.
In January 2025, White pleaded guilty to one count of Murder in the First Degree, two counts of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felonies), one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and one count of Gang Assault in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felonies). The defendant entered a guilty plea to all counts in the indictment as jury selection was scheduled to begin in his trial.
The homicide occurred while other individuals were engaged in a physical altercation with the victims. White and his co-defendants arrived at the scene together then fled after the victims were shot. The co-defendants, who were identified during the course of the investigation, pleaded guilty for their respective roles in the crime.
Jaylin T. Scott, 21, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty, as charged, to one count of Gang Assault in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). He was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.
Teffany Y. Nance, 43, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Gang Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” violent felony). Nance, who is the mother of Jaylin Scott, was sentenced to 5 years of probation.
LaShawn C. Taylor, 25, of Town of Tonawanda, pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Gang Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” violent felony). Taylor received a determinate sentence of one year in jail.
DA Keane commends Detective Joseph Ruggiero and Detective Mark Constantino of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan M. Flaherty of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Thomas J. Comfort of the Felony Trials Bureau with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the Homicide Bureau.