Auburn, NY - Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci announced today that, GAGE ASHLEY, of Auburn, received a sentence of 21 years to Life for the murder of Joshua Poole at 8 Delevan Street in the City of Auburn on November 15, 2019.
During jury selection, ASHLEY pled guilty to the entire indictment against him. During his guilty plea, ASHLEY admitted that he fired several rounds from a pistol at the victim, causing his death. He confirmed that his co-defendant, Lucciano Spagnola, also fired rounds from a shotgun at the victim. ASHLEY admitted that the participants, including Spagnola, intended to commit a robbery and purchased masks and gloves, and obtained the weapons, prior to committing the crimes.
At today’s sentencing, the Court did not vary from the promised plea and sentenced the defendant to an indeterminate term of imprisonment of 21 years to life on each count of Murder. The Court agreed with the People’s recommendation to impose maximum sentences on the remaining charges: a determinate term of 15 years imprisonment and 5 years of post-release supervision on the counts of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and 11/3-4 years of imprisonment on the counts of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree and Tampering with Physical Evidence. All sentences were directed to run concurrently.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci and Deputy Chief Christopher Valdina prosecuted the case.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Grome Antonacci commented: “This defendant received a life sentence for his part in needlessly taking the life of Joshua Poole during an armed robbery attempt. While no amount of imprisonment will bring the victim back, we hope that today brought closure for his family members. We commend the members of the Auburn Police Department, New York State Police and the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office for their thorough investigation and incredible teamwork in bringing this defendant to justice.”