Buffalo Man Sentenced for Killing His Brother

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Jerome A. Cole, 28, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to 18 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. Cole was sentenced as a second violent felony offender.

On Monday, July 11, 2022, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant caused the death of his brother by shooting him with an illegal firearm. The crime occurred at the victim's residence on Thatcher Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 35-year-old Marcus Anthony Cole, Jr., was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he later died.

In March 2026, Cole pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class B violent felony). He entered a guilty plea to the lesser included offense in the top count of the indictment as jury selection was underway in his trial.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank A. Strano of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Rebecca A. Fioravanti of the Special Victims Unit with the assistance of Chief Rebecca L. Schnirel of the Felony Trials Bureau.