“I am pleased with the decision issued by the Appellate Division Fourth Judicial Department as their ruling affirms our position that the court improperly dismissed the indictment against Jamien Harris and allows my office to continue our pursuit of justice on behalf of the victim and her family. We remain committed to ensuring the fair prosecution of the accused. As this matter will now proceed before the court, I will have no further comment on the case,” said Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane.
Jamien L. Harris, 43, of Buffalo, was indicted on one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony). The defendant is accused of intentionally causing the death of her grandmother. It is alleged that on the late morning of Sunday, November 21, 2021, Buffalo Police responded to a residence on Highgate Avenue after receiving a 911 call for a domestic disturbance. When the officers arrived at the home, they encountered the defendant at the front door and observed a deceased elderly woman in the living room. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the victim, 90-year-old Catherine Jones, died from a gunshot wound to the chest and ruled the manner of death as a homicide.
As part of the investigation, Buffalo Police obtained a search warrant and found two loaded, unregistered handguns inside of the house. Harris pleaded guilty, as charged, to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class “E” felonies) on November 2, 2022. In January 2023, she was sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case to five years of probation. Harris was later indicted by a Grand Jury and arraigned on the murder charge in May 2023.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office successfully appealed a court order that dismissed the indictment. Judge Case granted the defense counsel motion in September 2023. On Friday, June 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of the State of New York Appellate Division Fourth Judicial Department issued their decision, which reversed the judge’s order, denied the defense’s motion, reinstated the indictment, and remitted the matter to Erie County Court for further proceedings.
A return court date has not been scheduled at this time. If convicted of the charge, Harris faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. She remains under the supervision of the Erie County Probation Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Eugene T. Partridge, III, 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.