Shameek Copes, a 28-year-old Auburn woman convicted of second-degree murder earlier this year, was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 25 years to life in prison by Cayuga Court Judge Thomas Leone on Monday.
Copes was found guilty of killing 37-year-old John Wesley Smith outside Swifty’s Tavern on Perrine Street in Auburn in March 2022.
Despite maintaining her innocence and expressing condolences to Smith’s family, Copes received the maximum sentence sought by the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office. Her attorney, Rome Canzano, revealed plans to appeal the conviction after the sentencing.
In addition to the second-degree murder charge, Copes was convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Judge Leone also sentenced her to 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision for the weapon charge, with the sentences running concurrently.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].