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Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office
Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced James B. White Jr., 23, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty Wednesday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of murder in the first degree, two counts of murder in the second degree (class “A-I” felonies), one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and one count of gang assault in the second degree (class “C” violent felonies). The defendant pleaded guilty, as charged, to all counts in the indictment as jury selection was scheduled to begin in his trial.
On Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at approximately 8:50 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot two victims with an illegal gun while on the front porch of a residence on East Utica Street. One victim, 29-year-old David Honer, died at the scene. The second victim, 24-year-old John DeShon Gibson, was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was pronounced deceased.
White faces a maximum of life in prison without parole when he is sentenced. He remains held without bail.
The homicide occurred while other individuals were engaged in a physical altercation with the victims. White and his co-defendants arrived at the scene together then fled after the victims were shot. The co-defendants, who were identified during the course of the investigation, have pleaded guilty for their respective roles in the crime.
Jaylin T. Scott, 21, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty, as charged, to one count of gang assault in the second degree (class “C” violent felony) on Dec. 10. Scott faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced. He remains held without bail.
Teffany Y. Nance, 43, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted gang assault in the second degree (class “D” violent felony). Nance, who is the mother of Jaylin Scott, pleaded guilty to the charge in full satisfaction of the indictment on Dec. 10. Nance faces a maximum of seven years in prison when she is sentenced. She was released under supervision.
LaShawn C. Taylor, 25, of Town of Tonawanda, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted gang assault in the second degree (class “D” violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge in full satisfaction of the indictment on Dec. 16. Taylor also faces up to seven years in prison when he is sentenced. He was held without bail pending sentence.
Keane commends Det. Joseph Ruggiero and Det. Mark Constantino of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan M. Flaherty of the major crimes bureau and Assistant District Attorney Thomas J. Comfort of the felony trials bureau, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the homicide bureau.