Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 34-year-old Kenneth J. Parks of Buffalo was sentenced yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to a determinate sentence of 20 years in prison followed by 7 years of post-release supervision.

On February 23, 2021, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the defendant grabbed the elderly female victim by the neck with his hands, picked her up and slammed her onto the kitchen floor. The attack caused the victim to hit her head. While the victim was on the floor, the defendant put his right knee into the victim’s chest as he continued to apply pressure to her neck. The victim later went to Sisters of Charity Hospital for treatment where the assault was reported to the police. The victim was treated for a traumatic head injury as well as contusions to her elbow, ribs and back.

Parks was initially arraigned in Buffalo City Court on March 16, 2021. He was released under supervision. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.  

On April 24, 2021, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the defendant unlawfully entered the victim’s home through a porch window while knowingly in violation of the order of protection. The victim tried to run away from the defendant, but he grabbed the victim and choked her. When the victim ran out of the house to yell for help, she was chased by the defendant who slammed her against a parked vehicle and began choking her again. The defendant fled when a neighbor came outside to investigate the victim’s cries for help. Parks was taken into a custody a short time later by police. The victim was treated at Sisters of Charity Hospital for injuries to her head, neck, chest, ribs, right arm and right leg.

Parks was arraigned for the second crime in Buffalo City Court on April 25, 2021. Bail was set at $1,500 cash or $5,000 bond or partially secured bond, which was later increased to $75,000 cash, bond or partially secured bond following a bail argument by prosecutors. Parks was later indicted by a Grand Jury for both crimes.

On August 23, 2022, a jury found Parks guilty of one count of Burglary in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony), two counts of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” violent felonies), one count of Aggravated Criminal Contempt (Class “D” felony) and one count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing (Class “A” misdemeanor). Jurors rendered their decision after two hours of deliberation following a two-day trial.  

“I hope that the victim feels justice has been served by this defendant serving a significant prison sentence for his crimes. I encourage anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or feels at-risk of abuse by an intimate partner or family member to contact my office for help. We have a team of prosecutors dedicated to investigating these crimes and obtaining orders of protection as well as a victim advocates who can help create safety plans and connect victims to additional resources,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.

Yesterday, Justice Haendiges issued a final order of protection on behalf of the victim, which remains in effect for the next 20 years.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in these investigations as well as the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program.

The BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program specializes in advocacy within the criminal courts. While staff work within the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, it is a separate and distinct program with six victim advocates available to provide trauma-informed support and resources to anyone impacted by domestic violence. While the program primarily works with victims who are navigating the criminal justice process and rebuilding their lives following the arrest of the offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services.

 For more information on the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Advocacy Program, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gina M. Gramaglia of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra W. Daniels of the Community Prosecution/Training Bureau.