Justin Haffa
MAYVILLE – The case involving the man accused of attacking a female Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputy following an automobile crash last year is now underway in County Court.
According to the Post-Journal, prior to the start of the case on Thursday, the Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson offered a plea deal of 17 years in prison for 22 year old Justin Haffa, who’s facing a first-degree attempted murder charge, among several other charges. That offer was reportedly rejected.
In addition to opening statements in the trial on Thursday, one witness was also called.
Haffa is facing 25-years-to-life in prison, if convicted on charges related to the Sept. 11 incident that took place on Route 60 in the town of Pomfret.
He’s accused of pinning the sheriff deputy to the ground, injuring her with a knife, and wrestling her gun away from her before running away from the scene. He was captured by authorities a short time later.
Defense attorneys say Haffa never intended to kill the Deputy and suffers from mental health disorders and drug problems.
Leave a Reply