BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Niagara Falls man was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison Wednesday morning for fatally beating his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend in September 2022, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, Buffalo police responded to a fight on the 400 block of Berkshire Avenue. Officials said Abouycea Thornton, 32, attacked his ex-girlfriend and beat her boyfriend with a metal pipe.
Call about fight in Buffalo leads to murder, assault charges
The victim, 29-year-old Nickolas Grazes, died from the injuries. The female victim sustained injuries to her arm and was treated and released from the hospital.
Thornton pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in 2023.
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.