Auburn Woman Convicted of Murder After Jury Trial

Auburn, NY - District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced that SHAMEEK COPES, 28, of Auburn, New York, was found guilty following a week-long jury trial, of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-I Felony and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C Armed Violent Felony, for fatally shooting John Wesley Smith.

After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, including video surveillance, the jury concluded that on March 15, 2022, while at Swifty’s Bar, located at 45 Perrine Street, in the City of Auburn, COPES, intentionally caused the death of John Wesley Smith, when she fired three rounds into his body at point blank range, killing him instantly. Video evidence, coupled with witness testimony, showed that she used a loaded and operable 9 mm ghost gun. COPES fled the scene and discarded the firearm in a storm drain near Swift and Steel Streets in the City of Auburn before getting a ride out of New York State. She was taken into custody in the State of South Carolina approximately three weeks later.

This case was prosecuted by District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Susan Azzarelli.

COPES faces 25 years to Life on the Murder charge and a 15 years determinate sentence, followed by five years of post-release supervision on the weapon’s charge. Both charges will run concurrently by operation of law.  She is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable Thomas G. Leone on May 4, 2023. COPES was remanded to the custody of the Cayuga County Jail without bail pending sentencing.

“We are pleased with the jury’s verdict and commend them for the time and consideration they gave listening to and reviewing the evidence throughout the trial. We hope that this guilty verdict can finally bring John’s family a sense of closure and justice.”   District Attorney Grome Antonacci commented, “We have seen too many senseless acts of gun violence, not only in our community, but across the state. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to seeking justice in these cases. I commend the thorough investigation conducted by the Auburn Police Department, as well as by members of the New York State Police.”

SHAMEEK COPES