Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 22-year-old Nateonna Roland of Buffalo has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek on an indictment charging her with one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class “B” violent felony.

It is alleged that on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the defendant stabbed her boyfriend, 21-year-old Brendan Benjamin, on East Eagle Street in the City of Buffalo during a domestic dispute.

The victim was taken to Buffalo General Medical Center in a private vehicle where he later died from his injuries.

Roland is scheduled to return on 9/13/19 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. She continues to be held on $250,000 cash or bond.

If convicted of the charge, Roland faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation, including Sgt. William Cooley, Detectives John Paradowski and Patricia Wrest, and Officers Lamar R. Reeves and Kaitlynn A. D'Amico.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Colleen Curtin Gable and Assistant District Attorney Ashley M. Morgan of the DA’s Homicide Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.