Jury reads guilty verdict to McCray

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The defendant kept his cool as the verdict was read, just as he did throughout the trial.

Prosecutors put forth a strong case, all of it backed up with stills and video from a surveillance camera.

"The videotape was crucial," said prosecutor James Bargnesi.

Bargnesi believes the surveillance video, taken at the scene of the City Grill massacre last summer, allowed his team to successfully demonstrate to a jury that what the five eyewitnesses saw was true.

Their credibility came into question throughout Riccardo McCray's first-degree murder trial.

"It was very powerful, not only in court but in days after the investigation," said Bargnesi.

Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita said, "We knew from the beginning this case would rely on eyewitnesses and credibility of witnesses. The videotape was instrumental provided key cooperation of witnesses."

After closing arguments, jurors deliberated for more than seven hours before reaching a unanimous verdict late Thursday night.

The defendant was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, and several counts of attempted murder in the first degree.

You may recall, McCray surrendered at News 4, ten days after the shootings.

He continues to declare his innocence, even though prosecutors successfully proved that he was the lone shooter you see here, who finished off Danyell Mackin, one of four people shot dead.

Three others were wounded.

"A bullet recovered from his back matches bullets from the street and from the bodies of the other victims," said Prosecutor Mary Beth DePasquale.

McCray never took the stand.

No witnesses testified on his behalf.

Prosecutors told News 4 that no one should be fooled to think that the man behind the glasses is anything but a monster.

Bargnesi said, "I think as the jury has made clear with the verdict, he's an individual capable of savagery and violence."

Sedita said, "He's a murderer. That's what he is. He shoots people. He killed four people . He's a murdered and going to prison for the rest of his life."

McCray faces a minimum of 20 years to life in state prison.

Prosecutors are expected to push for the maximum sentence, which is a life term without parole.