David Waggoner

MAYVILLE – The Jamestown man found guilty earlier this year in the shooting death of another city man will spend 20 years to live in prison.

The Post-Journal is reporting 54-year-old David Waggoner was sentenced Monday in County Court. The sentence comes after a Jury found him guilty of 2nd degree murder in March.

In July 2018, Waggoner was charged for shooting 30-year-old William Michishima outside of Waggoner’s residence on Livingston Ave. The incident took place following a dispute over a stolen motorcycle. Michishima died later in an Erie hospital.

During the trial, Waggoner’s attorney, public defender Ned Barone, didn’t deny Waggoner was involved in the shooting but instead used the argument that he was acting in self defense.

Waggoner could have received sentences in the range of 15 to life and 25 to life. Prior to his sentencing , Barone read a prepared statement from Waggoner that depicted himself remorseful and apologetic, but maintained that his actions were the result of him entering “survival mode.”

Barone cited Waggoner’s commitment to his job, family, and lack of previous criminal convictions as reasons why he wasn’t given the maximum sentence.

David Waggoner

MAYVILLE – A Jury has returned a guilty verdict in the murder trial involving a Jamestown man accused of shooting and killing another man last summer in the city.

According to the Post-journal, the Chautauqua County Jury returned read the verdict late Thursday morning, just two hours into the second day of deliberations.

The case involved 54-year-old David Waggoner being charged with second degree murder in July 2018 shooting of 30-year-old William Michishima. The incident took place following a dispute over a stolen motorcycle. The defense didn’t deny Waggoner was involved in the shooting but instead used the argument that he was acting in self defense.

Waggoner faces a sentence of at least 15 years to a maximum of 25 years to life in prison. He will be sentenced on June 10.

David Waggoner

MAYVILLE – Jury Deliberation started Wednesday in Chautauqua County Court for the murder trial of a city man who stands accused of shooting and killing another man during an incident last summer.

The Post-Journal is reporting that closing arguments were made by both the defense and prosecution on Wednesday in the case involving 54 year-old David Waggoner.

Waggoner is facing a second-degree murder charge after being accused of shooting 30-year-old William Michishima during a dispute at 114 Livingston Ave. in Jamestown on July 24, 2018. Michishima was taken to an Erie, Pa., hospital where he died the following day. The dispute was reportedly over ownership of a motorcycle.

David Waggoner following his arrest in July 2018

MAYVILLE – The trial involving a murder of a city man last summer continued in Mayville Thursday with the defense calling its witnesses to the stand.

The case involves a charge of 2nd degree murder against 54-year-old David Waggoner, who is accused of shooting 30-year-old William Michishima at 114 Livingston Ave. in Jamestown on July 24, 2018.  Michishima was taken to an Erie hospital and died the following day. The incident is believed to have stemmed from a dispute over a motorcycle. Waggoner is being defended by Public Defender Ned Barone.

According to the Post-Journal, the Defense is making an argument that Waggoner was justified in his actions, which were in response to Michishima’s aggression.

Barone reportedly called numerous witnesses to the stand Thursday ranging from law enforcement officers to individuals who knew Michishima in an effort to establish that Waggoner had knowledge of Michichima’s alleged propensity for violence.

The trial continues Friday in county court.

David Waggoner

MAYVILLE – The trial involving a murder of a city man last summer continues in Mayville this week with the prosecution wrapping up its case on Tuesday.

The Jamestown Post-Journal reports District Attorney Patrick Swanson rested his case against 54 year old David Waggoner after calling his final witnesses to the stand.

Waggoner is accused of shooting 30-year-old William Michishima at 114 Livingston Ave. in Jamestown on July 24, 2018. Michishima was taken to an Erie hospital and died the following day. The incident is believed to have stemmed from a dispute over a motorcycle.

On Tuesday Swanson called witnesses to the stand who gave testimony into seeing the actual incident as it played out – acknowledging the two men were fighting before Michishima fell backward after a single shot from a gun was fired.

Waggoner is being defended by Chautauqua County Public Defender Ned Barone, who says his client was defending himself during the incident with Michishima.

The trial will resume on Thursday with the defense making its case.

David Waggoner

MAYVILLE – The murder trial of a Jamestown man who stands accused of shooting and killing another city man began Wednesday in Chautauqua County Court.

According to the Post-Journal, bot the county district attorney and public defender made opening statements in the murder trial of 54 year-old David Waggoner, in addition to the prosecution calling four witnesses to the stand.

Waggoner stands accused of shooting and killing 30 year-old William Michishima during an incident at Livingston Avenue in the city on July 24, 2018. Michishima was rushed to a UPMC in Erie before dying from a gunshot wound to the head.
The incident apparently stems from a dispute over ownership of a motorcycle. The defense is claiming Waggoner was only acting in self defense when Michishima was shot.

Waggoner faces 20 years to life in prison if convicted.

The trial resumes Thursday morning.

William Michishima

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Police Department has released the name of the man who was shot Tuesday morning and died the next day as a result of his injuries.

City police say 30-year-old William J. Michishima was taken off life support Wednesday at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa. His death was the result of a single gunshot wound to the head.

As a result of his death, charges of 2nd degree Murder are now pending for the suspect, 54-year-old David Waggoner.

The shooting incident that took place just before 9 a.m. Tuesday near 114 Livingston Ave. Police have not released details on a possible motive.

David Waggoner

UPDATED 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Jamestown Police are reporting that the victim in Tuesday morning’s west side shooting as died as a result of his injuries. A media release sent out Wednesday afternoon says the victim, whose name has not been released, was removed from life support at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday. Charges of 2nd degree Murder are now pending for the suspect, 54-year-old David Waggoner.

An autopsy will be completed on Thursday at the Erie County Medical Examiners Office to determine the exact cause of death.

[Original Story  – published 8:39 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2018]

City Man Arrested Following Shooting on City’s West Side

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Police have charged a city man with attempted murder and 1st degree assault following a shooting incident that took place just before 9 a.m. Tuesday on the city’s west side.

Police say 54-year-old David Waggoner was taken into custody not long after officers were called to 114 Livingston Ave. for a reported fight. When officers arrived they found a man lying in the street with a gunshot wound to the head.

The victim was rushed to UPMC hospital in Erie, where he is listed in critical condition. Police have not released the victim’s name, nor details on a possible motive.

Waggoner was being held at the Jamestown City Jail until he could be arraigned in city court.

Jamestown police were assisted at the scene by members of the Ellicott Police Department and Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office.