In the quiet community of Big Flats, New York, the life of Timothy Webster, a 60-year-old male, was abruptly and violently cut short on Friday, November 3, 2017. A beloved local postman, he was known for taking the time to chat with people along his route. His death was the tragic culmination of a crime spree that began with a carjacking in a nearby city.
The series of events that led to this tragedy began when Curtis C. Burrows, then 37, of Elmira, stole a vehicle in Corning.
This act set in motion a chain of events that would end in a senseless murder. Following the carjacking, Burrows drove to Big Flats where he committed a home invasion. It was during this home invasion that he encountered Timothy Webster.
Inside the home, a violent struggle ensued, and Timothy Webster was fatally shot. The investigation into the homicide quickly led authorities to identify Curtis C. Burrows as the primary suspect. He was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and first-degree criminal use of a firearm.
Burrows' case proceeded to trial, where he was found guilty by a Chemung County jury on all charges. The conviction brought a measure of justice for the senseless killing of a man described as an all-around good guy who was loved by everyone who knew him. For his crimes, Curtis C. Burrows was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison, ensuring he would be held accountable for the tragic loss of Timothy Webster.
