Syracuse, N.Y. — A Syracuse jury has convicted an Auburn man of second-degree murder after rejecting his claim that he fatally stabbed his boyfriend in self-defense.
Tyler Kilmer, 30, was found guilty Thursday of killing DeVonte Crosby, 31, inside Crosby’s home at 610 Oswego Street on November 13, 2024, following a series of drunken domestic incidents.
Police had been called to the home twice before the fatal stabbing. During their second visit, officers drove Kilmer to a Syracuse hotel to separate the couple. Despite that, Kilmer returned to the residence in the early morning hours.
In a rare move, Kilmer took the stand in his own defense, describing Crosby as aggressive and claiming Crosby attacked him first with a knife, leading to what he called “a fight for life.”
However, Prosecutor Anthony Copani highlighted contradictions in Kilmer’s testimony during cross-examination, arguing the defendant altered his story to fit the evidence.
Copani presented a Snapchat video recorded by Crosby that the defense said depicted Crosby berating Kilmer. The prosecutor urged jurors to focus on Kilmer’s behavior in the clip — throwing chairs, damaging property, and shouting that it was “all [Crosby’s] fault.” Copani said the footage reflected Kilmer’s tendency to blame others for his own actions.
“He blamed DeVonte for the result, much like he is doing here today,” Copani told jurors in his closing argument.
Prosecutors also pointed to physical evidence that contradicted Kilmer’s version of events. Crime scene photos showed Crosby’s bedroom undisturbed, undermining Kilmer’s claim that a violent struggle took place. Copani argued the evidence indicated Crosby was attacked while lying in bed and attempted to defend himself.
Photos of Crosby’s defensive wounds and slashes in the bedding supported that theory, while Kilmer’s own injuries — superficial scratches on his neck consistent with marks from Crosby’s acrylic nails — suggested Kilmer was the aggressor.
Defense attorney Graeme Spicer countered that discrepancies in Kilmer’s testimony stemmed from trauma and shock, asking jurors to consider whether they could recall every detail of a violent confrontation with a loved one. He also emphasized Kilmer’s emotional distress, noting that he cried repeatedly during the trial.
In the end, the jury was unconvinced. Kilmer was found guilty of second-degree murder and faces up to 25 years to life in prison when sentenced.
