Jury finds 2 defendants guilty for assaulting victim during home invasion in Town of Amherst

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced a jury found 37-year-old Jason K. Evans of Depew and 34-year-old Mark S. Shadle of Kenmore guilty of one count of burglary in the first degree and one count of robbery in the first degree (class “B” violent felonies). Jurors rendered their decision yesterday afternoon after less than two hours of deliberation following a seven-day trial, convicting the defendants of all counts in the indictment against them.

On Oct. 28, 2022, at approximately 11:45 a.m., the defendants forcibly entered a home on Bucyrus Drive in the Town of Amherst with the intent to commit a burglary. Once inside of the residence, the defendants threatened the homeowner. The defendants caused injuries to the victim by beating him during the commission of the robbery. The defendants also bound the victim, which caused severe lacerations to his arms. The defendants fled after stealing various items from the home.

A family member returned home and called 911. The victim was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for serious physical injuries to his head, chest, arms and legs.

Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024. Evans faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. If deemed a persistent violent felony offender, Shadle faces up to 20 years to life in prison. Both defendants continue to be held without bail.

DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for its work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the major crimes bureau and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas C. Bussi of the felony trials bureau.