CAUTION – THE DETAILS MAY BE DISTURBING.
Michael T. Baldwin Reports, 10/27/21
The murder trial of an accused killer will begin in January in Allegany County court in Belmont. Howard Burroughs, 42, formerly of Wellsville, is charged by indictment with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree kidnapping, gang assault in the first degree and second-degree conspiracy.
On March 21, 2020, Burroughs and seven others allegedly duct taped 23-year-old Nicholas Burdge to a chair inside his apartment at 172 ½ North Main Street in Wellsville. According to the indictment, the crew also put a wash cloth in the mouth of Burdge and duct taped a pillow case over his head. The defendants then kicked and punched the victim, causing his death by blunt force trauma. The body was wrapped in garbage bags and dumped in the Genesee River. To date, six other defendants took plea deals and are serving prison time. A teenage defendant received probation and was given Youthful Offender status.
According to Assistant District Attorney Mike Finn, who is prosecuting the case, Burroughs has had numerous court and motion hearings during the past year. Finn said the trial is expected to begin in early January. Burroughs is the only defendant not to accept a deal from the DA.
