The Appellate Division, Fourth Department has upheld multiple convictions secured by the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office, rejecting claims of excessive sentencing in several high-profile cases, District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced Friday.
Among the affirmed cases is that of Christopher Laframboise, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault in connection with a brutal machete attack inside the victim’s home on February 6, 2023. Laframboise was sentenced to 13 years in prison for each charge, to be served concurrently, followed by five years of post-release supervision. The appellate court dismissed his claim that the sentence was unduly harsh.
Jason McDeid’s conviction was also upheld. He admitted to carrying out a home-invasion robbery targeting an elderly victim in November 2022. After pleading guilty to second-degree robbery in May 2023, McDeid was sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. His appeal challenging the severity of his sentence was denied.
Wayne Shorter also failed to overturn his sentence. He was stopped by Auburn police in September 2020 and found to be driving while intoxicated with a suspended license. He later pleaded guilty to felony DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation. The court sentenced him to two to six years in prison in October 2022. The appellate court ruled that the sentence enhancement was justified after Shorter made false statements following his plea.
The appeals court additionally upheld the sentencing of Chad Jennings, who repeatedly violated orders of protection. After pleading guilty in November 2022 to aggravated family offense and criminal contempt, Jennings was arrested again in January 2023 for violating another order. He later admitted to aggravated criminal contempt and was sentenced to a total of two and a half to five years in prison.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher T. Valdina represented the prosecution in the appeals process.
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