BUFFALO, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced that 39-year-old Louis C. Goforth of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday, before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony).
The charges stem from an incident on January 22, 2023, around 4:30 am, when Goforth allegedly shot 39-year-old Mario Saddler with an illegal gun on the 200 block of East Ferry Street in Buffalo. Saddler was pronounced dead at the scene. Goforth is scheduled to return to court on May 18, 2023, for a pre-trial conference and is currently being held without bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Goforth faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. DA Flynn praised the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their diligent work in the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the Homicide Unit will prosecute the case.