Jury Finds Buffalo Man Guilty of Manslaughter for Fatally Stabbing Woman Inside Her Apartment

Otis L. Johnson, Jr.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office announces that a jury has found 46-yearold Otis L. Johnson, Jr. of Buffalo guilty of one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony). Jurors rendered their decision after less than two hours of deliberation following a five-day trial, convicting the defendant of the only count in the indictment against him.

On Monday, December 19, 2022, at approximately 10:20 p.m., the defendant stabbed the victim six times during an argument. The crime occurred inside of the victim’s apartment on the 300 block of Riley Street in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 56-year-old Katherine Crofton, died from her injuries.

Johnson faces up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced as a second felony offender before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. He remains held without bail.

The D.A.’s Office commends Detectives Chris Sterlace, Terrence Supples, Jake Giarrano and Jose Lorenzo as well as Officers Sean Overdorf, Demetrius Reynolds, Officer Ronald Ammerman and Brendan Overdorf of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Gina M. Gramaglia of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau.