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 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 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.

Rance “Randy” Freeman, Jr., 31, was arraigned Thursday in Chautauqua County Court on a two-count indictment alleging two charges of Murder in the Second Degree.

Johnson was discovered deceased in his Westfield home on November 8, 2008. The Village of Westfield Police Department, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department, and the Chautauqua County Forensic Investigation Team responded and began an investigation which led to the indictment of Freeman, nearly 10 years later.

Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson credited the perseverance of the investigators, adding “My thanks go out to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and Westfield Police for their continued efforts in investigating this case.”

Freeman  entered a plea of not guilty before Chautauqua County Court Judge Stephen Cass. Bail was set at $500,000 cash or $1,000,000 property.

Freeman is due to return to court for the completion of discovery and standard motions on a date yet to be determined.

The charges carry a potential sentence ranging from fifteen years to life up to twenty-five years to life imprisonment. As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.