Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 43-year-old Kenneth James of Lockport pleaded guilty on Friday morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the count in full satisfaction of the indictment against him.
On Monday, August 14, 2023, at approximately 3:50 p.m., the defendant recklessly caused the death of the victim by shooting him an air gun. The crime occurred as the victim was riding a bicycle on Broadway near Krettner Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 38-year-old Joseph Dash, died at the scene. An autopsy determined that the victim died from a pellet round shot to his chest.
James faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Prosecutors requested that the defendant be remanded pending sentence. Judge Case continued his release on bail set at $250,000 cash or bond.
DA Flynn commends Det. Sgt. Sean McCabe, Detective Mark Costantino, Detective Adam Stephany and Detective Christopher Sterlace of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank A. Strano of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau.