The medical examiner testified the wounds on his back and legs were consistent with being dragged. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Guzman-Feliz for a rival when they stabbed him to death, Last defendant convicted in 2018 killing of Bronx teen Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz, 5 gang members plead guilty to killing of Bronx teen, 16 members of violent Trinitarios gang charged with high-end NYC robberies in sweeping indictment, Two gang leaders convicted in murder of Junior Guzman-Feliz, Trinitarios were driving around looking for Sunset members, Juniors mom at one point screaming and sobbing in court. This Aint One Of Them: Get to figuring your way around AI sooner rather than later. Following the lengthy opening statements from the prosecution and defense attorneys for the five suspected gang members, the first of 14 to stand trial, the first witness took the stand. Todays verdict fortifies the Bronx communitys stand against violence, "Today Junior's family, and in fact our entire city, has received a measure of justice," Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz said in a statement. Nils Gerber and Stephen Ball, Stacks' attorneys, presented evidence and rested their case after about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. 2023 Breaking Media, Inc. All rights reserved. He was walking toward Adams Place, a small street about five minutes away thats known for gang activity. Prosecutors say that Jonaiki Martinez gave the fatal stab, slashing Juniors neck. Except thats not what happened. Junior's mother said that Friday's verdict will sends a message to all those who would do something similar to what happened to her son. Toni Messina has tried over 100 cases and has been practicing criminal law and immigration since 1990. But at the end, it has a happy ending," said Manny Ortiz. dragged him from the store and stabbed him to death. The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps,. Our investigation retraces Juniors last steps and uncovers new details that may answer why he was targeted. This 15-year-old boy, in the moments before his death, fought and fought like hell, Dolan said, according to the New York Daily News. Video showed the boy being dragged outside the bodega and set upon by a gang of men who hacked at him as he struggled to defend himself. On Monday, City Council members Ritchie Torres, Vanessa Gibson, and Rafael Salamanca wrote a letter to Department of Consumer Affairs asking that the bodega be shut down. It led to a clearer morality tale. The teen reportedly bled to death steps from the emergency room. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The men punched and kicked Lesandro before dragging him out. In the video, we see the 15-year-old ask for the help from the worker of the Cruz and Chiky Grocery on E. 183rd St. in the Bronx. Then hes dragged from the bodega and brutally stabbed by a swarm of attackers. Mr. Alvarez testified for the prosecution in return for a lenient sentence. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Ultimately, he was slashed in the neck and died after running to a hospital three blocks away. Junior was spotted walking late at night in the Bronx neighborhood frequented by the Sunsets. They also face manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and weapons charges. Its Wednesday, June 20. Eight others are awaiting trial. The defense attorney for the man who allegedly dealt that throat cut took offense at that. Lesandro, who had hidden behind the counter, pleaded with the men, saying he was not the person they were looking for. Members of the Trinitarios gang were hunting for enemies in the Bronx last summer when they found a 15-year-old boy on his phone and walking alone. The store has not opened since last Wednesday when the incident took place. During Tuesdays closing arguments, Bronx assistant district attorney Morgan Dolan told the jury how Lesandro Guzman-Feliz valiantly avoided multiple attempted stabbings by a mob of men who had dragged him out of a bodega on June 20. The murder of 15-year-old Guzman-Feliz, who was known as Junior, has captivated the community and public interest, partly because the brutal June 20 attack was caught on surveillance video. Some Trinitarios took orders from Mr. Suero, whom they called Santa Claus, according to Mr. Alvarez and Michael Reyes, who also testified for the prosecution. WNBC reported that the . ", "It was a terrible year, it felt like 10 years. Prosecutors previously said the teen succumbed to a neck wound caused by a 4-and-a-half inch knife that severed his jugular vein. Goldberg hammered the medical examiner to get his point across that his client did not cause any physical injury to Junior, because a machete would have resulted in decapitation or mutilation. That isgonna stick with this jury for the rest of the weekend, he says. Recommended Stories Deadline. At about 10:30 p.m., the second-in-command of Los Sures, Frederick Then, 20, also known as Colita, told the men they were headed to the Little Italy section of the Bronx to search for their rivals. Its alleged that defendant Jonaiki Martinez Estrella plunged the knife into Juniors neck near the end of the 20-second attack. They pursued him in cars, mistaking the aspiring NYPD detective for a gangbanger because he supposedly resembled a known one. Mr. Suero had warned his members to carry a weapon at all times and said if they saw a rival member to do whatever possible to hurt the Sunset member, Mr. Alvarez said. Secure New Clients Using A Content Marketing Funnel, Seth Klarman Doesnt Care Whether J.K. Rowling Is Cancelled. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! was brutally jumped and stabbed to death. Community member Elizabeth De Jesus likened the photo to a horror movie. Also consider other hobbies. The boy was slashed in the neck and died after running to a hospital three blocks away. Two of the clips. Henry also told of discovering a five-inch blade inside the passenger seat pocket of suspect Kevins Alvarezs 2003 gray Acura. WNBC reported that the grisly images brought some of the jurors to tears. "Justice for Junior" has become a rallying cry. I didnt see the kid., 5 Convicted of Hacking Innocent Teenager Junior Guzman to Death, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/nyregion/lesandro-guzman-murder-trinitarios-verdict.html. Dixon's closing arguments also included the presentation of autopsy photos showing the wound to Guzman-Feliz's neck which reportedly killed him. On June 20, members of both Bronx sets had spent much of the day hunting for their enemies, Mr. Alvarez said. Even as the evidence demonstrated that Junior was killed by only one man, Janaki Estrella-Martinez, the false narrative had taken hold and all five defendants were convicted of the highest crime in New York State murder by torture. The footage went viral and with it, rumor and speculation about why the 15-year-old boy known as Junior was singled out. (Obtained by New York Daily News ). There, leaders passed around cellphone pictures of various Sunset members and asked the returning soldiers to identify the person they stabbed. A post shared by Robert Williams (@areumdawo_saja), Jury Finds All Five Defendants Guilty Of Murdering Bronx Teen Junior Guzman-Feliz, New Owners Of Bodega Where Junior Was Killed Want To Rename Store After Slain Teen, Bronx Street Renamed To Honor Slain Teen Junior, Bronx Bodega Where Teen Junior Was Attacked Reopens Temporarily, Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Wayne Shorter Has Died, White Student At Howard University Law School Sues for $2 Million Over Racial Discrimination, R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years For Child Sex Crimes, Family of Malcolm X Files $100 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against NYPD & Others. Kevin Alvarez, who pleaded guilty a weeks ago, took the stand to testify on behalf of the prosecution. What we do know is that for Junior like many teenagers growing up in gang-afflicted areas theres a fine line between hanging out on the streets and getting caught up in deadly violence. Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, who went by the nickname Junior, was a member of the Police Departments Law Enforcement Explorers program before he was killed last year. Lets continue to examine why so many youths, particularly from inner cities, are attracted to the brutality of gangs. How do you protect your children from predators? The murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, known as Junior, drew outrage across New York City. Meanwhile, during closing arguments the defense told jurors that the prosecution had failed to prove the suspects wanted to kill Junior, arguing testimony from star witnesses showed the men intended to hurt Junior, not kill him.. Students and staff from the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School gathered Friday to honor Lesandro "Junior" Guzman Feliz, who was tragically stabbed to death in 2018. Mr. Alvarez said he and other gang members tried to block Lesandro with their cars, but the teenager fled into the Cruz and Chiky Grocery, a bodega at East 183rd Street and Bathgate Avenue. Since the violent attack, the communitys outpouring of love and support has been seen in a mural. After that, they will lead off summations. The OCME said Wednesday the teens death in the Belmont area of the Bronx was a stab wound to the neck, and classified the death as a homicide. AP Bronx gangbangers were given the order to inflict "any kind of damage". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The mural outside of the bodega where Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was attacked bears his birth and death dates: 2002 and 2018. All rights reserved, Long Island Driver Wanted for Running From Deadly 7-Car Pileup, Upper East Side Deli Killer Clad in Hazmat Suit Likely Serial Robber: Sources, A dozen alleged gang members were indicted July 18, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Flight Attendant Hit the Ceiling': 7 Hospitalized After Severe Turbulence Diverts Flight to Virginia, Fight for NY Casino License Heats Up as Developers Drop Coney Island Boardwalk First Look, Viral Kids' Star Ms. Rachel Is Taking a Break From Social Media After Backlash Over Co-Star Who Uses They/Them Pronouns, The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced the cause of death for slain teen Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, The OCME said Wednesday the Bronx teens June 20 death was a stab wound to the neck and classified the death as a homicide, Alleged gang members have been indicted on murder, manslaughter, conspiracy and other charges. ALL 8 SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED #justiceforjunior #JUNIOR #ripjunior #JUSTICE4JUNIOR #justice #bronx. According to . One of the Trinitarios, who turned cooperator and will now face no jail time, dragged Junior from the bodega where he was hiding and onto the street. The defense also tried to discredit Guzman-Feliz alleging he was in a gang photo a notion a detective who took the stand denied. : Reach out just to catch up. The trial, now in its fourth week, has been checkered with drama, with Juniors mom at one point screaming and sobbing in court in response to grisly CCTV footage shown of her sons murder. Officer Kyle Oiwaka of the 48th Precinct took the stand on the 12th day of trial to testify about responding to a reported knife assault on the June 2018 night Junior was killed, and gave chilling details of the gory scene. Junior's parents were not in court, having been warned the images would be shown. A street was named after Junior, a scholarship fund, a summer camp. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said each of the . New York Police Department . Registration or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. After the attack, the gang returned to Mr. Sueros home on Boston Road, Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes said. He was picked on and one time, beaten up so badly his ribs were broken. A post shared by Robert Williams (@areumdawo_saja) on Jun 25, 2018 at 11:00pm PDT. The cars briefly stop at this intersection, and then turn left in the direction of Juniors path. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. He was a skinny kid, just 120 pounds, 56 inches tall. I dont want to see it again. Privacy Center | document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. READ: #JusticeForJunior: 19-Year-Old Charged in the Murder of Bronx Teenager. Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, known as 'Junior,' was mistaken for another person in a murder earlier this week described as "among the most brutal crimes I've seen in my 36yr career," New York . The 15-year-old had already been pronounced dead inside the hospital, Officer Oikawa would later learn. But Morgan Dolan, the lead prosecutor, countered that weapons like knives and machetes kill and the gang members went in knowing that.. Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. Guzman-Feliz's death sparked outrage in the Bronx and beyond and spurred the allocation of $18 million toward gang prevention in the borough. ), It was shared millions of times on social media and in the general press. The media ran with the narrative, promoted by the prosecution and the family of the deceased, that the 15-year-old was killed in a case of mistaken identification by gangbangers, viciously stabbed by all of them and killed, Caesar-like, from the cuts of many wounds. Surveillance video shows Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz being dragged out and then hacked to death by five men with machetes on June 20, 2018, in the Bronx. The New York City Police Foundation announced it planned to set up a scholarship in his name. All five defendants were found guilty of murder in first and second degree, as well as conspiracy and gang assault charges. A bottle of hate had been uncorked and there was no way to close it. The New York City Police Foundation announced it planned to set up a scholarship in his name. Officers were called to a . On his way there, Junior was in touch with this friend, who lives on Adams Place and who, according to our reporting, is not in a gang, either. The vicious murder in June of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz just blocks from his Bronx home drew outrage from across the city and beyond. Anyone can read what you share. Is that why Junior was targeted? The officer said Juniors clothes had to be repackaged the day after they were vouchered into evidence as the blood was soaking through the paper bags they had been stored in. The jury of 11 women and a man took only two days to decide the fates of the defendants Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, 25, Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, 25, Jose Muniz, 23, Manuel Rivera, 19, and Elvin Garcia, 25. Add AI Research And Catching Up With Your Law School Buds To The Career Growth List -- See Also, Reach out just to catch up. He was then stabbed and hacked to death with machetes by several attackers after being mistakenly identified. Instead, he said, he watched as other Trinitarios members dragged Junior outside and hacked him to death with machetes and knives. The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps, MACHETE MONSTERS GUILTY.. THE BRONX As they rested their case in the Junior murder trial Friday, prosecutors turned to the medical examiner who performed the teens autopsy, offering graphic detail of the wound that killed the 15-year-old almost a year ago. Yesterday lawyers for four of the suspects accused of stabbing 15-year-old . Dr. Rodriguez said its possible if pressure was applied to the wound and Junior was brought to the hospital earlier, he could have survived. Prior to deliberations starting, the judge told the jury they could deliberate over the five defendants on trial separately and return individual verdicts or wait to return the verdicts of all five at once. The knife made it from the right side to the left, hit the muscle, hit the (jugular) vein, went behind the throat, hit the tissue on the back side of the mouth, Dr. Rodriguez said. They carried weapons for two reasons for their own protection and to use them to hurt (not kill) a Sunset. Passersby try to help. The store owner unlocked a door leading to the area where Lesandro was hiding, Mr. Alvarez said, and told them to take the fight outside. But its too late. UPDATE! Diego Suero leaving the 48th Precinct in the Bronx. The night of the murder, my client, Manuel Rivera, wasnt carrying a machete; he wasnt a monster and he never intended to kill Junior.
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