Judge Reassigns Counsel in Syracuse Murder Case
A Syracuse judge replaced defense attorneys for a woman charged in a fatal July crash after she accused them of misconduct.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Jazmine Vann, 25, requested new legal representation during a court hearing, alleging that her former lawyers tampered with evidence and autopsy reports. Judge Matthew Doran relieved the original counsel and appointed Graham Spicer to handle the case.
Why it matters
The change in counsel follows repeated disruptions by the defendant, leading the judge to remove her from the courtroom to ensure the judicial process can continue. The defendant remains in custody following the denial of bail during an earlier court appearance.
Jazmine Vann faces murder charges in the death of 3-year-old Yasmeen Shaaf, with proceedings occurring at the Onondaga County Justice Center. The prosecution has until December 9 to file a motion regarding a plea deal offered to co-defendant Rentasia Broome.
The players
Jazmine Vann
She is the 25-year-old defendant charged with the murder of a 3-year-old child.
Matthew Doran
He is the presiding judge who reassigned the defense counsel following courtroom disruptions.
Graham Spicer
He is the newly assigned defense attorney representing the defendant in the murder trial.
Rentasia Broome
She is a co-defendant who has been offered a plea deal of four to 12 years in prison.
Nathelie Alejandro
She is a 27-year-old individual who pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.
The details
Vann was involved in a fatal DWI crash on July 31 while driving a 2022 Kia Sorento at over 70 mph in a 30-mph zone. The incident at the intersection of Park Street and DeWitt Street led to a grand jury upgrading the charges against her to murder on August 19.
Timeline
July 31: Jazmine Vann was involved in a fatal DWI crash.
August 19: A grand jury upgraded charges against the defendant to murder.
September 4: Nathelie Alejandro pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide.
October 20: Vann requested new attorneys in court.
December 9: Deadline for the prosecution to file a motion regarding the plea deal for Rentasia Broome.
Legal Context
This case follows the standard procedural framework set by New York State Penal Law Article 125 for prosecuting vehicular homicide offenses. The judge's intervention reflects a broader judicial trend of managing court disruptions to prevent cases from stalling due to client-attorney friction.
Residents should be aware that the high-speed collision at Park Street and DeWitt Street has led to significant judicial proceedings in the city. The ongoing court case may result in future updates regarding local traffic safety measures or municipal responses to reckless driving incidents.
The takeaway
Defendants have a right to legal counsel, but court proceedings can be significantly delayed by accusations against defense teams. Maintaining courtroom decorum is essential for the timely administration of justice in serious criminal cases.
What happens next
Rentasia Broome is scheduled to reappear in court on December 26.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSTM.
