Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 48 year old Debra Haynes-Thomas of Cazenovia Street in Buffalo has pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree before State Supreme Court Justice Russell Buscaglia.

On November 14, 2015, Haynes-Thomas had an argument with her boyfriend, 56-year old Peter Wiepert in his home on 42 Princess Drive in Cheektowaga and then later, as he was falling asleep, admitted to striking the victim about the head multiple times with a ceramic statute, causing his death.

After receiving a tip, police responded to victim’s home.  When making entry to check on his welfare, they found a strong smell of natural gas emanating from the house.  They discovered all the gas stove burners on and a lit candle was next to the stove on the counter.  After ventilating the house, police did a security sweep.

Police found the victim’s body in his bed, covered by pillows and blankets. 

Haynes-Thomas faces 25 years in jail when she is sentenced on May 25, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. before Justice Buscaglia. 

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

Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Felicetta prosecuted the case.