District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announces that 54 year-old Thomas M. Szczesniak of 143 Woodell Street, Cheektowaga, will be arraigned this morning before Supreme Court Justice Penny M. Wolfgang on an indictment charging him with Murder in the Second Degree.

It is alleged that on October 24, 2014 while in the driveway of 143 Woodell Street, Cheektowaga, where both men resided, Szczesniak murdered 54 year-old Joseph P. Lawrence by shooting him. 

If convicted of this crime, Szczesniak faces a maximum prison sentence of 25 years to life. 

Like all defendants accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.