Buffalo man and his two nephews plead guilty to violent assault last summer

Demetrius F. Gore, 53, pleaded guilty Tuesday before Judge Susan Eagan in Erie County Court to second-degree assault for his role in the Aug. 20 attack that seriously injured a man.

Gore’s two nephews also pleaded guilty to all charges against them. Amonti K. Atkins, 24, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty earlier this month to attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and first-degree gang assault. His brother, Amari K. Atkins, 28, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty to the same charges on April 24.

The Atkins brothers, under the direction of their uncle, beat a 41-year-old man unconscious in the 1500 block of Broadway near Deshler Street following an argument at outside a nearby bottle redemption center. The brothers repeatedly punched the victim as she lay on the ground after being stabbed in the face by Amonti Atkins. The victim continues to recover from his injuries in a long-term care facility.

Gore and his nephews remain held without bail and are all scheduled to be sentenced July 17. The Atkins brothers each face a maximum prison sentence of 25 years, while Gore faces a maximum sentence of seven years.

Acting District Attorney Michael Keane commended Detectives Carrie Sitarski and Erin Heidenger, as well as Officer Brian Nagy of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Briana RD Kalman of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau and Assistant Prosecutor Nicholas C. Bussi of the Criminal Trial Bureau.