Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III announced that 51 year old Jessie Medley of Walden Avenue, Buffalo, was sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison as a Persistent Violent Felony Offender. Earlier this year, Medley was convicted of Robbery in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree before Senior County Court Judge Michael D’Amico after a week-long jury trial.

On June 25, 2012 Medley robbed a woman at knifepoint behind the Hotel Lafayette in downtown Buffalo. After threatening her life, he ransacked her purse and stole some of her personal belongings, including a ring that had been given to her as a gift from her young son.

Medley is a career criminal, having been arrested on 64 occasions since the 1970s. Medley has 54 convictions, including convictions for 3 different armed robberies. At sentencing, Medley requested the Judge waive the mandatory surcharges stating “I spent most of the last 35 years in prison, I have lost everything.” Judge D’Amico denied his request, stating “you will have a long time to pay those off”.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sara N. Ogden. DA Sedita also praised the bravery of the civilian witnesses, as well as the professionalism of the NFTA and Buffalo Police officers, stating: “Because of their combined efforts, a lifetime societal menace has been brought to justice. Mr. Medley will now complete his apparent urge to serve life in prison on the installment plan.”