The trial of Howard Burroughs is still pending
After more than two years, the trial for a Wellsville man charged with murder is still pending. An Allegany County Court official confirmed on Sunday that no trial date has been set yet for Howard M. Burroughs. Seven other defendants accepted plea deals while Burroughs has demanded a trial in Belmont. His case is being handled by an out-of-county prosecutor. The gang was accused of brutally beating to death Nicholas A. Burdge at his North Main Street apartment. His body was later dumped in the Genesee River.
On March 22, 2020 at 10:19 a.m., Troopers responded to the discovery of a body along the bank of the Genesee River by Jack Bridge Road in the town of Willing. The body was wrapped in a sheet and plastic garbage bags. The NYSP Forensic Identification Unit (FIU) and the BCI responded to process the crime scene. The Underwater Recovery Unit checked the Genesee River for further evidence. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Nicholas A. Burdge, 23 of Wellsville, NY. Fingerprint and tattoo analysis aided in the identification.
Among the defendants, Dylan L. Coomer is serving a 16-year prison sentence at Attica Correctional; Brandon J. Poehmel is serving 15 years at Auburn Correctional and Lawrence C. Haxton III is serving a 10-year prison sentence, also at Auburn Correctional. Others were sentenced by Allegany County Judge Thomas Brown to lesser sentences or probation. Burroughs remains detained in the Allegany County Jail without bail.
