Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Jerry L. Simpson of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony), one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Assault in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felonies) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).
It is alleged that on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at approximately 10:39 a.m., the defendant intentionally shot two victims with an illegal gun on the 900 block of Kensington Avenue near Olympic Avenue in the City of Buffalo. One victim, 37-year-old Jermaine Underwood of Buffalo, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, a 31-year-old male, was taken by ambulance to ECMC. The surviving victim was treated for injuries to his legs and released from the hospital.
Simpson is scheduled to return on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He continues to be held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Simpson faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad and responding officers for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the Homicide Unit and Assistant District Attorney Taylor A. Gillespie of the Felony Trials Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
