Man who fired gun inside Medina bar sentenced to 4 years in prison
ALBION – A Buffalo man who fired a gun inside O’Brien’s Tavern in Medina on Dec. 10, 2017 was sentenced to 4 years in state prison today.
Patrick Casanova, 24, has three other charges for possession of a weapon as part of nine arrests in the past two years, District Attorney Joe Cardone told County Court Judge Sanford Church at sentencing this morning.
“This defendant for years has been involved in numerous incidents involving firearms and menacing individuals,” Cardone said. “This is an individual who clearly belongs in prison.”
Casanova is represented by Public Defender Joanne Best. She said the three other weapons charges were dismissed.
The charge in Orleans County, criminal possession of weapon in the second degree, is his first felony conviction as an adult, Best said.
She said Casanova didn’t have any intent to hurt someone when the gun was fired at O’Briens. She said Casanova is bipolar with emotional instability issues. His mother was murdered while he was incarcerated as a youthful offender, Best said.
“He is not denying he has some very serious issues he has to resolve,” she said.
Casanova apologized for the crime and acknowledged, “I know my record is not good.”
Best asked the judge for a 2-year sentence which was the minimum as part of a plea deal. The maximum was 7 years in prison.
Judge Church decided to give Casanova 4 years in prison. That sentence will also satisfy the sentence for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Casanova faced a year in jail for that charge.
The judge urged Casanova to take full responsibility for his conduct, and work towards a law-abiding life.
“You’re young enough where it’s not too late to turn things around,” Church said.
