Buffalo man enters guilty plea during jury selection for fatally shooting victim in spring 2020

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 35-year-old Jahond Taylor, also known as Jahaan Taylor, Johond Taylor and Jahond Tay, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to one count of manslaughter in the first degree (class “B” violent felony) and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (class “C” violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge in full satisfaction of the indictment against him as jury selection was underway in his trial.

On Thursday, April 23, 2020, at approximately 10:35 a.m., the defendant approached a vehicle as the driver was backing out of a driveway on Langmeyer Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant shot the driver with an illegal gun. The victim attempted to drive away from the attack, but crashed the vehicle into a nearby light pole. The victim, 22-year-old Andr’a C. Austin, died at the scene.

Taylor faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, July 8. He continues to be held without bail.

DA Flynn commends officers Timothy Perrot, Daniel Dustin and Sean Mulhern and the members of the Buffalo Police Department homicide squad for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken Jr. of the homicide bureau and Assistant District Attorney Timothy J. Garvin of the major crimes bureau.