Jury Finds Buffalo Man Guilty of Murder for Beating, Stabbing Girlfriend to Death

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces thata jury has found Savon R. Stewart, 30, of Buffalo guilty of onecount of Murder in the Second Degree (Class "A-I" felony). Jurors rendered their decision earlier today after approximately 40 minutes of deliberation following a six-day trial, convicting the defendant of the sole count in the indictment.

On Monday, August 7, 2023, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to an apartment complex on the 3400 block of Main Street in the City of Buffalo after receiving a 911 call. Officers found the victim, 37-year-old Jena MacDiarmid Beal, deceased inside of her apartment. The defendant intentionally caused the death of his girlfriend by beating and stabbing the victim.

Stewart faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

Acting DA Keane commends Detectives Thomas Nunan, Jennifer Zanghi, Scott Malec, Mark White and Sgt. Keith Fitzner of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Ashely M. Morgan of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Caitlyn G. Burns of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.

If you or someone you know is a victim or may be at-risk of domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. While our staff specialize in trauma-informed support and victim advocacy following the arrest of an offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services. For more information on BE SAFE, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.