Suspect Who Killed 71-Year-Old With Gardening Tool Gets 22 Years in Prison

Suspect Who Killed 71-Year-Old With Gardening Tool Gets 22 Years in Prison
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BUFFALO, NY (PRESS RELEASE) -Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Joshua E. Wilson of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to a determinate sentence of 22 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On May 4, 2020, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the defendant killed 71-year-old Diane M. Wolfe inside of her Yorkshire Avenue home in the Town of Tonawanda by beating her with a gardening tool from her yard. After committing the homicide, the defendant stole the victim’s vehicle and other items from her home.

Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) on April 29, 2022. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge ahead of his jury trial scheduled to commence the following week.