Jeffrey Basil, the manager of the now-defunct Main Street bar Molly's Pub, has been indicted on multiple charges, including attempted murder, in the May attack that left airman William Sager Jr. with serious brain injuries.An Erie County grand jury has indicted Basil on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, and tampering with evidence. That is an upgrade of the original lone assault charge.
"They're all felonies. The attempted murder charges is what's called a Class B violent felony, punishable by up to 25 years in state prison if the defendant is convicted of that charge," Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita III told WBFO Thursday.
Basil is accused of pushing Sager down a flight of stairs at the bar on May 11. Sager remains in serious condition at ECMC.
Prosecutors say Basil disposed of surveillance camera footage following the incident. One off-duty Buffalo Police officer who was working security at the bar at the time, Adam O'Shei, testified that he witnessed the unprovoked attack.
The bar has since been shut down. Basil is free on bail, pending an arraignment later this month.
