Buffalo man sentenced for fatal stabbing of his girlfriend

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office 

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced James L. Allen, 69, of Buffalo, was sentenced yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

On Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at approximately 1:35 p.m., the defendant and his girlfriend were involved in a verbal altercation inside of her home on Cambridge Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant stabbed the female victim in the abdomen with a kitchen knife during the argument. After the victim was stabbed, the defendant engaged in a physical altercation with an adolescent male. The female victim was taken by ambulance to ECMC with physical injuries. The male victim suffered a minor cut to his right hand during the assault.

Allen was initially arraigned in Buffalo City Court on one count of assault in the second degree (class “D” felony), one count of assault in the third degree, one count of endangering the welfare of a child (class “A” misdemeanors), and one count of harassment in the second degree (violation). Bail was set at $25,000 cash, property and partially secured bond.

The victim, 44-year-old Yashika Page, died from her injuries at ECMC on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. The following day, Allen was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on one count of murder in the second degree (class “A-I” felony) and held without bail.

Allen pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the first degree (class “B” violent felony) on Jan. 16, 2025. The defendant entered a guilty plea to the charge in full satisfaction of the indictment. As part of the sentencing proceeding, a final order of protection was issued for the surviving victim, which remains in effect until 2050.

Keane commends Veteran Affairs Investigator Altonji, officer Chrisopher Bauer and members of the Buffalo Police Department homicide unit and E District for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the homicide bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Meredith M. Mohun of the special victims/domestic violence bureau.