Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 20-year old German Rosado-Thomas and his brother 16-year old Alvin Marrero both of Buffalo pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the 1^st Degree before Erie County Court Judge Thomas Franczyk.

On August 17, 2015, shortly after midnight on Arkansas Street in the City of Buffalo, the two attempted to rob 54-year old James McCloskey, who was pushing a shopping cart full of cans down the street.

Marrero struck the victim in the head with a fake gun. Rosado-Thomas then pistol-whipped the victim and shot him in the abdomen, leaving him to die on the street without taking anything from him. The incident was captured on private surveillance cameras.

The two defendants will be sentenced on May 2, 2016, 9:30 a.m. before Judge Franczyk.  They face a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Acting DA Flaherty commends the Buffalo Police Homicide Unit, including Detective Scott Malec and Detective Sergeant Carl Lundin for their thorough investigation.

Homicide Bureau Chief Colleen Curtin Gable and Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Felicetta prosecuted the case.