CANTON, New York (WWNY) – The man accused of shooting and killing a SUNY Potsdam student last year has pleaded guilty.
Thirty-two-year-old Michael Snow of Massena entered a guilty plea in St. Lawrence County Court to second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Crane School of Music student Elizabeth Howell on February 18, 2022, as she walked on a road just off campus.
The following month, a grand jury indicted Snow on counts of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault, and first-degree criminal use of a firearm.
Snow was set to go on trial on August 21.
District Attorney Gary Pasqua said Snow faces a prison term of 22 years to life when he’s sentenced on July 28. He announced the news at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
“This is an agreement that was made between the defendant and the court, which every defendant has a right to do. He has a right to plea to the entire indictment that’s pending against him. With that, the court indicated what they were willing to commit to which was the 22 to life,” said Pasqua. “I do believe the evidence we had was damning. We had evidence, video evidence from not only throughout St. Lawrence County but Franklin County as well of Mr. Snow on that day. We have video evidence from the scene of the crime, at the time of the crime.”
The murder weapon used has yet to be found.
Pasqua says Howell’s family was at the courthouse when Snow pleaded guilty in front of judge Greg Carriero.
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