Man sentenced for pair of murders on East Utica in 2024
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was sentenced to up to life in prison for a pair of murders that took place on the porch of a home on East Utica Street in 2024, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.
James White, Jr., 23, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
White shot 29-year-old David Honer and 24-year-old John DeShon Gibson with an illegal gun on the front porch of the home on the morning of Jan. 2, 2024.
He pleaded guilty in January to one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of second-degree gang assault.
Three other co-defendants were also sentenced for their roles in the crime:
Jaylin Scott, 21, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to second-degree gang assault.
Teffany Nance, 43, was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to second-degree attempted gang assault. Nance is Scott’s mother.
LaShawn Taylor, 25, received a determinate sentence of one year in jail after pleading guilty to second-degree attempted gang assault.
The murders occurred while others were involved in a fight with the victims. The four arrived together and fled after the victims were shot.
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Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.
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