In the summer of 2021, the Ithaca, New York community was shaken by the untimely death of Alan M. Godfrey, a 32-year-old man known for his vibrant and fun-loving personality. Born on September 28, 1988, in Providence, Rhode Island, Godfrey was a beloved figure who, according to those who knew him, could light up a room with his smile and energy. His larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression on many in the Ithaca community, where he was working for Texas Roadhouse at the time of his
death.
The circumstances of his passing were tragic and violent. In the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 20, 2021, Alan Godfrey was fatally shot on Taughannock Boulevard. The Ithaca Police Department launched an investigation, narrowing the time of the shooting to a brief five-minute window between 12:40 and 12:45 a.m. The incident sparked a months-long investigation as law enforcement worked to identify and apprehend the person responsible for cutting short a life described as a source of joy and positivity to his family and friends.
The investigation ultimately led to the arrest of William Marshall, an Ithaca resident. In February 2023, the 41-year-old Marshall pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter in the first degree, admitting in Tompkins County Court that he had intentionally caused Alan Godfrey's death. This admission came while Marshall was already serving a 33-month federal prison sentence for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The case drew further attention due to reports that the former mayor of Ithaca, Svante Myrick, had at one point lived in a home owned by Marshall.
In April 2023, William Marshall was sentenced for the killing of Alan Godfrey. Despite prosecutors pushing for the maximum sentence of 25 years, the court handed down a sentence of 20 years in state prison, to be followed by five years of post-release supervision. During the sentencing, Alan Godfrey's family members delivered emotional pleas for justice, emphasizing his deep sense of family and his ability to bring happiness to those around him. The Tompkins County District Attorney's Office acknowledged the devastating loss to the community, stating that Godfrey's death was a heartbreaking event that deeply affected his family and friends.
