In the early hours of July 4, 2018, in Rochester, New York, a violent encounter cut short the life of 42-year-old Michael Earlsey. The incident unfolded around 1:00 A.M. on York Street, where Earlsey and a 28-year-old woman were shot. Earlsey sustained at least eight gunshot wounds and was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The female victim was also shot twice but survived.
The investigation swiftly led police to 49-year-old Joseph Boykins Sr., the ex-boyfriend of the female victim. Authorities quickly apprehended Boykins at his home, where he had fled after the shooting and was attempting to dispose of evidence. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for the death of Michael Earlsey and attempted murder for the shooting of his ex-girlfriend.
In May 2021, a Monroe County jury found Joseph Boykins Sr. guilty on a host of charges, including Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon and a Controlled Substance. On August 5, 2021, a judge sentenced Boykins to 30 years to life in the New York State Department of Corrections. Prosecutors highlighted the violent nature of the attack, and with the conclusion of the legal proceedings, they expressed hope that the verdict and sentence would bring a measure of closure to Michael Earlsey's family.
