Amherst man sentenced on attempted murder charge in fatal arson in city's Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane on Friday announced Daniel A. Martinez, 50, of Amherst was sentenced before Acting Erie County Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio to five years in prison followed five years of post-release supervision.

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, at approximately 2:45 a.m., the defendant intentionally set a fire inside of his girlfriend’s residence located on the first floor of a multifamily home on Concord Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The intended victim was not home at the time of the arson, but her mother was asleep in a nearby bedroom of their shared apartment. The victim, Maria Galazka, suffered multiple burns and smoke inhalation. She was transported by ambulance to ECMC where she later died on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, which was her 66th birthday.

A Buffalo firefighter was injured while fighting the blaze. He was taken to ECMC where he was treated and released. A resident who lived in the upper apartment was displaced, but unharmed in the fire.

Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder in the second degree (class “B” felony) on July 11, 2024. The plea to a reduced charge in full satisfaction of the indictment was offered to the defendant with the consent of the victim’s family. As part of the sentencing proceeding, prosecutors requested the court impose the maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

“The family of Maria Galazka has waited a long time for justice and wanted the defendant to receive the maximum sentence,” Keane said. “Our office agreed and requested that the court sentence the defendant to 25 years in prison. Unfortunately, the judge imposed the minimum prison term.”

Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department and Buffalo Fire Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Eugene T. Partridge III and Assistant District Attorney Frank A. Strano of the major crimes bureau.