In the winter of 2014, a tragic event unfolded in Rochester, New York, forever altering the lives of three families. On February 22nd, 24-year-old Jacquelyn Simmons, her 21-year-old cousin Jermeliah Simmons, and their 24-year-old friend Michael Nelson were discovered deceased inside an apartment on Chili Avenue. The scene was grim, with all three victims having suffered multiple gunshot wounds in what was described as an execution-style killing.
The Rochester Police Department launched a
thorough investigation into the triple homicide, which led to the arrests of three men a few months later: Marlando Allen, Andre McFarlane, and Steve Fulcott. The motive behind the brutal slayings was believed to be connected to a 'major marijuana distribution operation,' with prosecutors suggesting the killings were in retaliation for Jermeliah Simmons allegedly stealing marijuana from the enterprise.
The legal proceedings for the three suspects took different paths. In 2016, Steve Fulcott was exonerated of the murder charges but was convicted on drug charges and sentenced to five years in prison. That same year, Andre McFarlane accepted a plea deal, receiving a sentence of 15 years to life in prison in exchange for his testimony regarding the triple homicide. The case against the man identified as the triggerman, Marlando Allen, was delayed as he was initially found not mentally competent to stand trial.
Finally, in September 2020, after being declared competent, 40-year-old Marlando Allen pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder. He admitted his role in the deaths of Jacquelyn Simmons, Jermeliah Simmons, and Michael Nelson and was subsequently sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Allen's plea also made him eligible for deportation. While the convictions brought a degree of legal closure, the families of the victims expressed that true peace would remain elusive after such a profound loss.
