Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a jury has found 40-year-old Keith Renaldo, Jr. of Brant guilty of one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony). Jurors rendered their decision this afternoon after less than three hours of deliberation following a 8-day trial, convicting the defendant of the only count in the indictment against him.
On or about June 26, 2021, the defendant intentionally caused the death of the victim by shooting her with a shotgun. On July 1, 2021, New York State Police found the victim, 45-year-old Gina Baca of Angola, deceased in a wooded area off of Route 438 in the Town of Brant after she had been reported missing by family members.
Renaldo faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to be held without bail.
DA Flynn commends the New York State Police and the Seneca Nation of Indians Marshals for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Narcotics/Intelligence Unit.