Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 22-year-old Sammy Abdellatif and 21-year-old Brittany Ashley-Graser, both of Grand Island have been arraigned by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth F. Case on an indictment charging them with Attempted Murder in the First Degree for an attack on an Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy. 

Abdellatif is also charged with Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree.  Ashley-Graser is also charged with Assault in the Second Degree. 

It is alleged that on August 24, 2016, while acting in concert, Abdellatif and Ashley-Graser did intentionally attempt to cause the death of Deputy Jason Clark by choking him. Deputy Clark at the time of the incident was a police officer engaged in the course of performing his official duties. 

It is also alleged in the indictment that on July 18, 2016, Abdellatif did, with intent to harass another person, communicate by telephone a threat to murder Deputy Jason Clark.  

Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Abdellatif was remanded to jail without bail. Ashley-Graser remains free on $20,000 bail/$50,000 bond. 

If convicted of the charges, each defendant faces a maximum of 40 years to life in prison. 

“I am thankful that Deputy Clark survived this assault,” says acting DA Flaherty. “The law rightfully condemns unprovoked attacks on police officers simply doing their job.” 

Acting DA Flaherty commends Erie County Sheriff’s Senior Detectives John Graham and Gregory McCarthy for their thorough investigative work. 

Assistant District Attorney Nathanael C. Kapperman is prosecuting the case. 

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