Eric Leslie Sentenced To 40 Years To Life For The Homicide Of Vernel Rose

Rochester, NY- On Friday, December 19, 2025, New York State Supreme Court Justice Richard M. Healy sentenced 38-year-old Eric Leslie to 40 years to Life in the New York State Department of Corrections. He was previously convicted of Murder in the 2nd Degree and four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree for killing Vernel Rose on September 30, 2023.

On September 30, 2023, at approximately 8:30AM, Rochester Police Officers responded to North Goodman Street and Pennsylvania Avenue for reports of a man shot. Upon arrival, they located a 31-year-old Vernel Rose, deceased, with a gunshot wound to the head.

After a thorough investigation, Eric Leslie was identified as the suspect in the homicide. Rochester Police Officers determined that the two men were engaged in conversation that morning when Eric Leslie pulled out a pistol and shot Vernel Rose in the back of the head before fleeing the scene in his vehicle.

Eric Leslie was apprehended in the vehicle connected to the murder, with two illegally possessed handguns. He was arrested and charged for the homicide and weapons possession.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Harrigan, Chief of the Major Felony Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Emily Chisholm, of the Non-Fatal Shooting Taskforce.

“Eric Leslie proved that he has no regard for human life, no regard for our community, and no regard for the rule of law,” said Assistant District Attorney Michael Harrigan. “By murdering Vernel Rose, the defendant made a choice that has now defined the rest of his life, and today’s sentence ensures he will never again have the opportunity to harm another person. While nothing can ever repair the devastation he left behind, this outcome affirms the value of Mr. Rose’s life and delivers a measure of justice to his family and loved ones, who have endured profound loss.”

“The sentence imposed today reflects the gravity of the harm cause by the murder of Vernel Rose and the lasting pain suffered by his family,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “With today’s 40 years to life sentence, Eric Leslie will no longer be able to promote violence in our community or take another life away from their family. Thank you to the Rochester Police Department and Assistant District Attorneys Michael Harrigan and Emily Chisholm for their tireless work securing today’s outcome. We will continue to stand with the Rose family, and the families of all victims, and do our best to seek justice in the courtroom.”