Man sentenced for witness intimidation

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A man convicted of intimidating a witness was sentenced to 40 years to life, Wednesday morning.

James Blair appeared in front of State Supreme Court Judge Penny Wolfgang. Blair was found guilty of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree burglary last month.

Blair and Lincoln Ablack stole a car from a Buffalo woman’s home in 2011. A month later, they assaulted the woman in an attempt to keep her from testifying against them.

The victim said, "I hope you never forget what you've done to me. Because if you can forget what you've done to me, you're nothing but evil. I have to live with what you've done to me for the rest of my life. Even physically, I will never heal completely.

Blair’s co defendant Lincoln Ablack pleaded guilty to first-degree witness tampering, second-degree burglary and first-degree assault. He faces a maximum of 40 years when he is sentenced in August.