Mason Earle accused of murdering Alex Burrow and Bruce Kane by Hamlin

Mason Z. Earle is charged with two counts of second degree murder in the murder of Alexander Burrow, 20, of Clarkson and Bruce Kane, 18, of Sweden, at 87 King Street, Hamlin, September 9.

He was arrested at 12:40 Thursday at a traffic stop at his residence, deputies said. The bodies of Kane and Burrow were discovered in a Ford Focus burned on September 10.

Earle pleaded not guilty to his appearance at 10 pm Thursday in a crowded audience hall at Hamlin City Court. He was sent back to Monroe County Jail without bail.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled at 8 am on October 3, but the case should be referred to a grand jury.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office determined that both men had died from gunshot wounds, according to Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter.

Baxter said after the trial that Earle had made a statement in which he admitted to having shot at the two, who were his acquaintances. The sheriff said Earle admitted the murders after receiving his rights from Miranda.

Baxter said the investigation was continuing and "was still open".

Baxter said the murders were drug related. "There was drug trafficking here and there were also firearms, when you put the two together and you end up with something terrible," he said.

Later, Baxter said the murders were related to marijuana. He called it "a very isolated incident" and added that there was no threat to the general public.

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Baxter did not say if other people were potentially involved. "We never stop looking, we never stop turning over every stone," he said. Later, he said: "We think it's a very specific incident that occurred that night."

Baxter reiterated: "A horrible crime and it is shaking up a small town like Hamlin.Everyone knows everyone, everyone knows each other.It's a crime that, thank god, has someone in detention that can put some peace in the spirit of the community.With families, we can never say anything that can bring them peace. "

Baxter said Earle had no criminal record, but he said the authorities are still not sure why the car had been burned with the two victims inside.

"The cause and origin of the car fire have not yet been fully determined," said Baxter.

During the indictment, a member of Bruce Kane's family proclaimed, "It should be first degree murder," and insisted on Earle. The man was quickly silenced and the indictment continued.

Kane and Burrow are both graduates of Brockport High School. Baxter said that he did not know if Earle had also attended school.

Baxter said Burrow and Kane had been shot in the upper body. It seems like Kane was driving and Burrow was a passenger, said Baxter. The vehicle was registered with Kane's father.

The burnt car was found behind 87 King Street, a dead-end warehouse with several small businesses and warehouses that leave Lake Road or Highway 19 in the Hamlin hamlet. The incident resulted in a major investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The fire occurred between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning. It was only reported late Monday morning, when the owner of the property arrived at the scene, said Michael Fowler, Monroe County Sheriff's Senior Assistant.

Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Matthew Schwartz continues the case. Elizabeth Riley of the Monroe County Public Defender's Office was present on behalf of Earle. But she said during the impeachment that she has a dispute and that another public defender would be appointed to represent Earle.

TO CLOSE

Mason Z. Earle arrives at Hamlin City Court for an indictment on Thursday, September 27th. He is accused of the murders of Alexander Burrow and Bruce Kane.
Will Cleveland, @ WillCleveland13

Baxter said the New York State Police, the FBI, the Monroe County Fire Department, the Monroe County District Attorney's Office and the Medical Examiner's Office and Wrestling Team counter narcotics from the Rochester area had participated in the investigation.