Buffalo man pleads guilty for fatally stabbing his mother and ex-girlfriend

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 27-year-old Charles L. Jones of Buffalo pleaded guilty this afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to two counts of manslaughter in the first degree (class “B” violent felonies). Jones pleaded guilty to the charges on the day jury selection was scheduled to begin in his trial. He agreed to serve the maximum sentence of 50 years of imprisonment.

The defendant caused the death of his ex-girlfriend, 25-year-old Jacquetta Lee, by stabbing her repeatedly inside of her apartment on Main Street near Heath Street in the City of Buffalo. On Thursday, July 18, 2019, the victim was found deceased in the bathroom after she was reported missing by her family. The victim was found approximately three days after she was killed.

The defendant also caused the death of his mother, 52-year-old Alethia Atwood Williams, by stabbing her repeatedly inside of her apartment on Jefferson Avenue near East Ferry Street in the City of Buffalo. On Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, Buffalo Police Department arrested the defendant for the murder of Jacquetta Lee. As part of the homicide investigation, a search warrant was executed at the Jefferson Avenue residence. During the search, police found the remains of Alethia Atwood Williams in a closet inside of her apartment. The victim had been deceased for approximately two weeks.

Jones faces a maximum of 50 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, June 15. He continues to be held without bail.

As part of the guilty plea, the defendant waived his right to pursue a motion under the “Domestic Violence Survivor Justice Act” pursuant to New York State Penal Law 60.12.

DA Flynn commends Det. Sgt. Carl Lundin, Det. Adam Stephany, Det. Scott Malec and Det. Erin McCarthy of the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their work in these investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eugene T. Partridge III of the homicide bureau and Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the narcotics/intelligence unit.