Keith Robbins

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson announced the following sentence in Chautauqua County Court:

Keith Robbins, 37,  of Jamestown, was sentenced Monday on one count of Manslaughter in the 1^st Degree. The sentence stems from his plea of guilty to the charge on October 26, 2017 in front of Chautauqua County Court by the Honorable David W. Foley.

“Today, with the family of Shari Robbins present, closure in the matter came in the form of a twenty-five (25) year state prison sentence.,” Swanson said.

Judge Foley sentenced Robbins to 25 years in state prison for the conviction of Manslaughter in the 1^st Degree.  He will also have five years of supervised released after completing his sentence.

The offense occurred on November 10, 2016, around 9 a.m., when Keith Robbins shot and killed his estranged wife as she was parking her car at work.  He then fled and went into hiding from police for five days. On November 15, 2016, Jamestown Police received a tip and apprehended him at a family member’s home.

The District Attorney was pleased with the disposition as it provided closure to Ms. Robbins family and prevented the Robbins children from having to testify and endure a lengthy trial.

“My heart breaks for the Robbins children and the Johnson family (Shari Robbins family),” Swanson said. “I have been in constant contact with the Johnson family during the pendency of this case and they are pleased that we have been able to put this tragic event to rest with the defendant admitting guilt. Hopefully, the Robbins children and Shari’s family can move forward, receiving the help that they need to heal, in order to live somewhat normal lives.”

The District Attorney added that this was a case of domestic violence that unfortunately led to a death, and should serve as a reminder to all those who suffer at the hands of another to get help.

“There are far too many cases of those in relationships that accept violence from their loved one,” Swanson said.
“Those abused frequently stay in abusive relationships for far too long, thinking that the abuser will change. That is rarely the case. Sadly, Ms. Robbins was finally taking those steps to permanently remove the defendant from her life before this happened.”

Swanson encourages any sufferers of domestic abuse to contact their local police department, the Salvation Army or Project Crossroads in Jamestown.

“I also want to thank Chief Snellings and Jamestown Police Department, our local FBI partners and the Chautauqua County Forensic Investigation Team for their outstanding work on this case,” Swanson said.

Keith Robbins

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown man accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife last year has reached a plea agreement with the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, just moments before his trial was to get underway.

The Jamestown Post-Journal is reporting that 36 year-old Keith Robbins pleaded guilty to a count of first-degree manslaughter in connection to the November 10, 2016 shooting death of his estranged wife, 36 year-old Shari Robbins.

District Attorney Patrick Swanson said the family of Shari Robbins was comfortable with the sentence, adding that Keith Robbins will likely see a sentence of 20 to 25 years in prison for his crime, which the DA feels will be an appropriate sentence. He said he will be pushing for the maximum sentence allowed when sentencing takes place in December.

Robbins was being represented by Public Defender Ned Barone. Both Barone and Swanson said the plea deal would help avoid extending the trial through the coming weeks and give closure to both families.

Robbins was accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife in a Prospect Street parking lot on Nov. 10. He then went into hiding and was eventually brought into custody five days later, but not until after stabbing Jamestown Police K-9 Officer Mitchell before being captured in the attic of a home on the city’s west side. K-9 Mitchell was able to fully recovery from his injuries. The related charges involving Robbins’ alleged assault against the police dog have apparently been dropped as part of the plea deal.

Robbins will be formally sentenced Dec. 18.

Keith Robbins

JAMESTOWN – Jury selection has started in the case of the Jamestown man accused of shooting and killing his estranged wife in November 2016.

According to the Post Journal, selection began Tuesday in the trial of Keith Robbins, the 36 year-old Jamestown man who stands accused of shooting 36 year-old Shari Robbins in a church parking lot off of Prospect St. the morning of Nov. 10, 2016.

At least five jurors have been seated in the second-degree murder trial.

Robbins is being represented by Chautauqua County Public Defender Ned Barone.

Recognizing the heroic actions of K9 Officer Mitchell and all our state’s service dogs and horses, Senator Cathy Young (R,C,I- 57th District) has announced bipartisan support for “Mitchell’s Law,” making it a felony to injure a K-9 officer in the line of duty.

Mitchell is a six-year-old German Shepherd that has been a member of the department since 2011. He was injured during a confrontation with a suspected murderer following a six-hour standoff in November 2016.

On November 10, 2016, Keith Robbins allegedly shot his estranged wife, Sheri Robbins, in the parking lot of the New Creation Assembly of God Church in Jamestown. The incident sparked a citywide manhunt that culminated in a six-hour standoff when Robbins barricaded himself in a home where his father resided. During the apprehension, Mitchell was stabbed in the throat and under his jaw, causing the knife to penetrate his tongue, sustaining life-threatening injuries that required emergency surgery.

Following the attack, Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings and Mitchell’s handler, officer Eric Kraft visited Senator Young along with Mitchell to request the law dictating the penalty for perpetrators who injure a K-9 officer in the line of duty be strengthened. Existing law dictates that a suspect can only be charged with a Class E felony for an attack that intentionally kills a police work dog or police work horse. So, despite the severity of Mitchell’s wounds, Robbins could only be charged with a class A misdemeanor, because the stabbing did not result in the animal’s death.

Mitchell’s Law has gained wide support from law enforcement and animal advocacy groups and is expected to see similar support in the state legislature.

Less than a month after being injured, K-9 Officer Mitchell made a full recovery and was back at work with his handler.

Keith Robbins (left) is accused of killing his estranged wife Shari Robbins (right) during a shooting on Nov. 10, 2016 on Prospect St. in Jamestown.

MAYVILLE – The man accused of murdering his estranged wife during a shooting in Jamestown last November had a hearing in County Court Tuesday to determine what evidence, if any, would be considered inadmissible in his trial.

36 year-old Keith Robbins stands accused of shooting and killing 36-year-old Shari Robbins while she was in a vehicle in a parking lot of Prospect Street during the morning of Nov. 10. Robbins was not located until several days later on Nov. 15, six-hour standoff with police at Todd Ave. residence in the city. He faces charges of second degree murder and injuring a police animal.

• RELATED: JPD HOLDS MEDIA CONFERENCE FOLLOWING ROBBINS ARREST

According to the Post-Journal, Tuesday’s suppression hearing allowed Robbin’s attorney – Public Defender Ned Barone – to determine if any evidence against him could be thrown out for possibly violating his client’s constitutional rights.

Barone requested an additional 30 days to review more evidence, and that was granted by judge David Foley. The hearing will continue next month. The actual trial will likely begin in June.

Keith Robbins

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday that a Chautauqua County Grand Jury has handed up an indictment for 36 year-old Keith Robbins, the Jamestown man accused of killing 36 year-old Shari Robbins.

Robbins has been charged with 2nd degree murder and Injuring a Police Animal.

On Thursday, Nov. 10 just after 9 a.m., Shari Robbins was fatally shot in a parking lot on Prospect St. as she was heading to work. The main suspect in the case was estranged husband, Keith Robbins.

Robbins was on the loose for more than five days before finally being taken into custody on Tuesday, Nov. 15, after a six hour standoff with police at 2 Todd Ave. in Jamestown. It was during the standoff that he allegedly stabbed the Jamestown Police dog, K9 Mitchell, after the dog was deployed into the home to locate Robbins.  Mitchell underwent emergency surgery for treatment of a stab wound and is expected to recover.

Robbins was arraigned Monday in Chautauqua County Court and was sent to the county jail without bail.

Press conference held at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016 in Jamestown NY.

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Keith Robbins

JPD Police Chief Harry Snellings and Chautauqua County DA Patrick Swanson hold a media conference after murder suspect Keith Robbins was located and taken into custody. Robbins is accused of killing his estranged wife, Shari Robbins, on Thursday Nov. 17 in Jamestown.

JPD chief Snellings says officers received a tip that Robbins was in a residence on Todd Ave. on the city’s West Side, shortly after midnight.

Snellings said that once police learned Robbins was in a home, the entered a home and sent K9 Mitchell after Robbins, and the K9 was stabbed during the capture, but will recover. Snellings says Kieth Robbins stabbed himself while being taken into custody and is being treated at hospital. Robbins will be arraigned once he is in stable condition.

He also said that an investigation continues into whether or not he received help the past five days while evading capture.

Chautauqua County DA Patrick Swanson (left) and JPD chief Harry Snellings field questions from reporters during a media conference held Tuesday morning, Nov. 15 following the arrest of Keith Robbins.

Keith Robbins

JAMESTOWN – The Suspect involved in last Thursday’s shooting death of 36 year-old Shari Robbins is now in police custody.

Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings sent out an email to local media Tuesday morning just after 6 a.m., with the notification that 36 year-old Keith Robbins was in custody. Chief Snellings also said a press conference on the case will also be given at the Jamestown Police Department at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

According to other local media, a portion of Harding Ave. had been closed this morning from Steel St. to Mcdaniel Ave. Jamestown police were joined at the scene by Lakewood-Busti, Town of Ellicott, and State Police at the scene as they dealt with a person – believed to be Robbins – barricaded in a house.

Last Thursday at just after 9 a.m., Shari Robbins was fatally shot in a parking lot on Prospect St. as she was heading to work. The main suspect in the case was estranged husband, Keith Robbins. Since then, police have been searching for Robbins and were able to finally bring him into custody early this morning.

We’ll have more details on the story later this morning on our website WRFALP.Com.

Keith Robbins

JAMESTOWN – Monday marks the fifth day for local authorities who are searching for a Jamestown Man suspected of shooting and killing 36 year-old Shari Robbins.

Jamestown police offered no new information over the weekend in their search for 36 year-old Keith Robbins. Robbins is wanted in connection to the shooting of Shari Robbins, which took place Nov. 10 just after 9 a.m. on Prospect Street. Police have not released any information into the possible motive behind the shooting.

Robbins is described as a white male, 5 feet-8 inches tall, and weighing about 175 pounds. He has hazel eyes and blond hair and is considered armed and dangerous.

On Friday Jamestown Police Capt. Robert Samuelson announced that police are now offering a $1,000 reward for information that will lead to his whereabouts. Anyone who may have information and wishes to claim the reward is asked to call (716) 867-6161.

People who may have information into the search or know Robbin’ whereabouts can also call Jamestown Police at (716) 483-7537, the anonymous tip line at (716) 483-TIPS, or to call 911.

As a result of the search for Robbins, Jamestown Public Schools and at least two other districts went into lockdown Thursday while classes were taking place. No classes were held on Friday due to Veterans Day. Jamestown schools’ communications coordinator tells WRFA that schools and classes will proceed on their normal routine Monday, being extra vigilant regarding visitors to the schools.

Keith Robbins

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Police are continuing to search Friday for a Jamestown man suspected of committing a homicide Thursday Morning on Prospect St.

Authorities say they are trying to locate 36 year-old Keith Robbins – who was initially described as a person of interest in the shooting death of Shari Robbins that took place just after 9 a.m. Thursday in a parking lot on Prospect St., near Heritage Ministries.

Robbins is described as a white male, 5 feet-8 inches tall, and weighing about 175 pounds. He has hazel eyes and blond hair.

On Friday Jamestown Police Capt. Robert Samuelson announced that the search is continuing and police are now offering a $1,000 reward for information that will lead to his whereabouts. Anyone who may have information is asked to call 867-6161.

Police did not initially release many details, other than to say a female was shot and killed in the incident. On Friday afternoon police finally released the name of the victim, identified as 36 year-old Shari Robbins. However, even before police released her name, her employer – Heritage Ministries – released a statement on its Facebook page Thursday afternoon identifying her as the victim. The Jamestown Post-Journal also says that the victim was reportedly having domestic issues with Keith Robbins.

By Thursday afternoon Jamestown Police were able to locate a vehicle they believe belonged to Robbins Thursday afternoon on the west side of the city, on Woodworth Ave. They cordoned off the area and eventually were able to check several locations, but Robbins was not located.

As a result of the search for Robbins, Jamestown Public Schools and at least two other districts went into lockdown while classes were taken place. All students were released at their normal time.

Meanwhile, the search continues today for Robbins. Police ask ANYONE who may know his whereabouts is asked to contact the Jamestown Police at 483-7537, the anonymous tip line at 483-TIPS, or to call 911.