NT man pleads guilty for fatally stabbing victim in apartment building

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced John A. Rudes, 29, of North Tonawanda, pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of manslaughter in the first degree (class “B” violent felony).

On Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at approximately 3:46 a.m., the defendant caused the death of the victim by stabbing him multiple times in the neck while inside of an apartment building in the 1000 block of Kenmore Avenue. The victim, 59-year-old Terry Jackson, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rudes also pleaded guilty this morning before Judge Eagan to one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree (class “E” felony) in a separate case. Prior to the homicide, the defendant was under investigation for stealing money from his former employer.

In January 2023, the victim reported to the Depew Police Department that several checks had been stolen from his business checkbook, resulting in a total loss of $3,763. The investigation determined that the defendant, who had been an employee of the victim’s landscaping company, wrote several checks payable to himself. Between Dec. 7, 2022, and Jan. 12, 2023, the defendant deposited stolen checks at various bank locations, which was supported by video evidence. As a condition of the plea, the defendant agreed to pay full restitution to the victim.

Rudes faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced. He remains held without bail.

Keane commends Det. Sgt. Keith Fitzner and Det. Jen Zhangi of the Buffalo Police Department, as well as officer Patrick Canna and Det. James Refermat of the Depew Police Department for their work in these investigations.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney William Fitzgerald of the felony trials bureau; and Assistant District Attorney Ryan A. Emmerling of the special investigations and prosecutions bureau, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the homicide bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jordana C. Grosodonia of the special victims/domestic violence bureau.