The Auburn woman convicted of murder outside a bar last year may spend the rest of her life in prison.
Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci reports 28-year old Shameek Copes was sentenced Monday by Judge Thomas Leone to 25 years to life in prison for her second degree murder charge. She was also sentenced to 15 years for Criminal possession of a weapon which will run concurrently with her murder sentence.
According to Grome Antonacci, Copes’ lack of remorse and refusal to accept responsibility for her actions factored into the court’s decision to impose the maximum sentence.
Back in January Copes was found guilty of murder for the fatal shooting of John Smith at Swifty’s Bar in Auburn on March 15, 2022.
She was taken into custody in South Carolina and extradited back to New York for her week long trail.
“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.”
