(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, NY – Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a 28-year-old resident of Buffalo was arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Betty Calvo-Torres for allegedly committing three separate violent crimes. Stokes was indicted on following offenses:

• One count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony)
• One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felonies)
• Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” violent felonies)

It is alleged that on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at approximately 1:55 a.m., Emanuel T. Stokes, also known as Emmanuel Stokes and “Manny,” attempted to cause the death of the victim by intentionally shooting him with an illegal pistol. The alleged crime occurred at a residence on the 100 block of Orlando Street in the City of Buffalo. The male victim was taken by ambulance to ECMC. The victim continues to recover from injuries to his back, arm and hand.

At the time of his arraignment on the indictment, Stokes was already in pre-trial custody following his recent arrest for two additional crimes. On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, Stokes was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Tiffany R. Perry on murder, assault and endangering the welfare of a child charges. He was held without bail.

It is alleged that during the early morning hours of Sunday, May 12, 2024, the defendant intentionally caused the death of the victim by shooting him with an illegal weapon in the area of Kehr Street and Urban Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 34-year-old Nicholas Calhoun, was taken in a private vehicle to ECMC where he was pronounced dead. 

It is further alleged that later the same morning, at approximately 2:25 a.m., the defendant stabbed a juvenile at a residence on the 200 block of Mills Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, a teenage boy, was taken by ambulance to Oishei Children’s Hospital where he was treated for a stab wound to his upper arm and a cut to his neck.

Stokes is scheduled to return on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail. 

If convicted of the highest charge, Stokes faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Acting DA Keane commends Detective Anthony D’Agostino, Detective James McMahon, Officer Thomas Herbert, Officer Anthony Shea, Officer Natasha Anderson and Officer Eileen Kline of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in these investigations.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. of the Homicide Bureau, Assistant District Attorney Timothy J. Garvin of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Caitlyn G. Burns of the Domestic Violence/Special Victims Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.