District Attorney, Ashley E. Smith, announced today that the following person was indicted by the Cattaraugus County Grand Jury

Brett M. Williams was indicted on July 9, 2026, for the crimes of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class B Felony), Assault in the First Degree (Class B Felony), Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class C Felony), Assault in the Second Degree (Class D Felony), and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (Class D Felony). He was arraigned on these charges on July 20, 2026, and bail was set at $100,000 cash/ $200,000 secure/partial secure.

The indictment states that on or about October 30, 2025, and October 31, 2025, Williams, with intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, caused the death of such person, and under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, he recklessly engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of death to another person, and thereby caused serious physical injury to another person. The indictment further states that Williams recklessly caused the death of another person, that with the intent to cause serious physical injury to another person, caused such injury to such person; and that under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, he recklessly engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of death to another person.

The District Attorney said “such cruel and inhumane violence will not be tolerated and I intend to seek justice for the victim and her family.” The District Attorney’s office was assisted in its investigation of Brett Williams by the Salamanca Police Department and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department. The District Attorney’s office commends law enforcement’s tireless effort in this investigation and many others. The continued partnership and collaboration between the District Attorney’s office and law enforcement is what keeps the community safe and ensures that justice is served.