Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 48-year-old Debra Haynes-Thomas of Buffalo has been sentenced to 22 ½ years in prison by State Supreme Court Justice Russell Buscaglia.

In March of 2016, Haynes-Thomas pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree in connection with the death of her boyfriend, 56-year-old Peter Wiepert of Cheektowaga. 

On November 14, 2015, Haynes-Thomas had an argument with Wiepert in his home on 42 Princess Drive and then later, as he was falling asleep, admitted to striking the victim about the head multiple times with a ceramic statue, causing his death.

When police responded to the home, they found a strong smell of natural gas emanating from the house.  They discovered all the gas stove burners on and a lit candle next to the stove on the counter.  After ventilating the house, police did a security sweep and found the victim’s body in his bed, covered by pillows and blankets.

After serving her sentence, Haynes-Thomas faces five years post-release supervision and was ordered by Justice Buscaglia to be deported back to her native Trinidad.

Acting DA Flaherty commends the investigative work of Detective Terence Griffin and Lt. Thomas Wetland of the Cheektowaga Police Department.

Assistant District Attorney John P. Feroleto prosecuted the case.