North Tonawanda man pleads guilty to fatal stabbing, grand larceny
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A North Tonawanda man pleaded guilty Tuesday morning in connection with two separate 2023 incidents, including a fatal stabbing and the stealing of thousands of dollars, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office.
John Rudes, 29, stabbed Terry Jackson, 59, of Buffalo, multiple times in the neck around 3:45 a.m. Sept. 17. Jackson was pronounced dead at an apartment building on Kenmore Avenue, near Colvin Avenue.
Eight months prior, an investigation found that Rudes stole several checks from his employer and made them payable to himself, officials said. He then deposited them at various locations between Dec. 7, 2022 and Jan. 12, 2023. The landscaping company lost a total of $3,763 as a result.
Rudes pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and fourth-degree grand larceny. He agreed to pay full restitution to his former employer as a condition of the plea.
Rudes will be sentenced March 5. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and remains held without bail.
Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.