Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 43-year-old Leonard Black of Buffalo pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of Attempted Assault in the First Degree and one count of Assault in the Second Degree. The defendant pleaded guilty to both counts in the indictment against him.

On June 8, 2017, at approximately 7 a.m., the defendant admitted to attacking his girlfriend’s landlord on Connecticut Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant punched the victim in the head. When the victim landed face down onto the concrete sidewalk, the defendant, who was wearing boots, proceeded to stomp the victim in the head.

The attack left the victim unconscious. He underwent surgery at ECMC for a fractured orbital bone.

Black faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, October 18 at 9:30 a.m.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Det. Brian Mahoney and Officer Jonathan Jackson of the Buffalo Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys James M. Marra and John P. Gerken, Jr. of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the DA’s Domestic Violence Bureau.