Auburn Woman Sentenced to Maximum After Murder Trial

Auburn, NY - District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced that SHAMEEK COPES, 28, of Auburn, New York, was sentenced today, before the Honorable Thomas G. Leone, to the maximum term of 25 years to Life in prison on the charge of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-I Felony and 15 years determinate followed by 5 years of post-release supervision on the charge of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C Armed Violent Felony. Both charges will run concurrently by operation of law. 

During sentencing, the Court listened to statements from the victim’s family members and reviewed victim impact letters. The Court considered COPES’ lack of remorse, refusal to accept responsibility for her actions, and the overwhelming evidence against her at trial prior to imposing the maximum sentence.

Copes was found guilty following a week-long jury trial in January of 2023, 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.

“We are pleased with the just and fair sentence imposed by the Court and hope that imposition of the maximum sentence will bring the victim’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 John’s family members for their bravery in standing up and speaking today before the Court, as well as the thorough investigation conducted by the Auburn Police Department and members of the New York State Police.”

SHAMEEK COPES