(WNY News Now) – Buffalo – A Lockport man will spend up to six years in prison for the reckless killing of a bicyclist with an air gun, a case that shocked the Buffalo community.
Kenneth James, 44, of Lockport, was sentenced to an indeterminate prison term of two to six years after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the second degree. The sentence was handed down by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on Thursday. The defendant’s plea satisfied the indictment against him for the reckless killing of 38-year-old Joseph Dash.
On the afternoon of August 14, 2023, James shot Dash with an air gun while Dash was riding his bicycle on Broadway near Krettner Street in Buffalo. The shot struck Dash in the chest, and he died at the scene. An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was a pellet round to the chest.
James’ plea deal came after months of investigation led by Buffalo Police detectives. Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane praised the officers who worked on the case, including Det. Sgt. Sean McCabe, and Detectives Mark Costantino, Adam Stephany, and Christopher Sterlace.
Assistant District Attorneys Frank A. Strano of the Major Crimes Bureau and Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau prosecuted the case.
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