A post shared by Robert Williams (@areumdawo_saja) on Jun 25, 2018 at 11:00pm PDT. All five defendants Antonio Santigo, Elvin Garcia, Manuel Rivera, Estrella and Muniz were members of the Trinitarios gang. 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. The injured teen was seen stumbling inside the bodega before exiting and making a run for the hospital. "The knife made it from the right side to left of Juniors neck, hit the muscle, hit the veinhit the tissue on the back side of the mouth," she said. Add AI Research And Catching Up With Your Law School Buds To The Career Growth List -- See Also, Reach out just to catch up. The teen reportedly bled to death steps from the emergency room. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. He specializes, New surveillance footage shows the moments before and after. All of the men charged have pleaded not guilty. Crime Scene Unit Det. Five gangbangers are on trial for the murder of the 15-year-old in the tragic case of mistaken identity. Content should be organized in different stages, from when potential clients search for initial information to eventually contacting your law firm. How do you protect your children from predators? The defense team asked Dr. Rodriguez if any of these additional wounds contributed to the teens death. THE BRONX As they rested their case in the "Junior" murder trial Friday, prosecutors turned to the medical examiner who performed the teen's autopsy, offering graphic detail of the wound that. That night, Lesandro had left his home on Bathgate Avenue to lend a friend $5, his mother had said during an interview last year. Then hes dragged from the bodega and brutally stabbed by a swarm of attackers. An order had come from Mr. Suero, he said: Go after Sunset you already know what you have to do., Mr. Reyes said he understood that to be an order to do any kind of damage. I didnt see the person who had just finished getting stabbed there, Mr. Alvarez said, choking back tears. "See what happens with those killers," said Leandra Feliz. At 11:35, a security camera films four cars driving slowly past the stoop where Juniors friend and some others were sitting. The referrals are a nice bonus too, Get to figuring your way around AI sooner rather than later, Enjoy. Their trial provided a glimpse inside the violent Trinitarios gang, whose members mistook 15-year-old Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz for a rival. After Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Fernandez pulled the boy outside, the others attacked. No one, not prosecutors or police, wanted to admit, that Junior had gang connections. I represented one of the Machete Monsters and I liked him. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. The dad struggled to make a living and Manuel struggled in school. Five men approached, including Manuel, weapons in hand. A warning: These next scenes are hard to watch, and weve obscured some graphic parts. If they did not participate, the lawyers said, they would have been disciplined. I dont want to see it again. Frederick Then was arrested in 2018 in connection with Lesandros death. Dimas Sanfiorenzo is the Managing Editor for Okayplayer. In opening statements, prosecutors described the teen's killing as a calculated and planned murder by the five suspects. Martin Goldberg, defense attorney for Jose Muniz who once cried in court during his arraignment said his client was made the poster boy for Juniors horrific death, because Muniz was seen carrying a machete. Guzman-Feliz's mother, Leandra Feliz, wept and screamed at times during the emotional trial.. But the glee I saw in the eyes of spectators at the reading of straight convictions for Murder I was not founded. Whether Junior was a gang member or not, didnt justify his death. Junior came to symbolize all of the young people who have lost their lives to brutal gang violence, the Bronx district attorney, Darcel D. Clark, said. The murder of Lesandro rattled the city, prompting outrage on social media and calls for justice from elected officials and celebrities, including the rapper Cardi B and the Yankees pitcher C.C. Theodore Parisienne for The New York Times. He was walking toward Adams Place, a small street about five minutes away thats known for gang activity. The murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, known as Junior, drew outrage across New York City. The New York City Police Foundation announced it planned to set up a scholarship in his name. But a leading police theory is the attackers mistakenly believed Junior was in a rival gang. Junior gestures for someone to call 911. Registration or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Sofia Henry also testified Thursday, telling jurors about photos she took on the night of the incident. Its 11:39. WPIX reported that theyre charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and conspiracy. He felt cool. We talked to police sources, family members and other witnesses. But its too late. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was brutally attacked and slashed to death in June 2018 in a case of mistaken identity. They probablywon't forget itfor the rest of their lives.. Last week, court officers had to restrain and remove a screaming Leandra Feliz as Judge Robert Neary blasted her as hysterical.. Surveillance footage from June shows a street chase by suspected members of the Trinitarios gang, as they hunted down 15-year-old Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz. 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[Featured Image: Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz/Facebook], 6-Year-Old Girl, 2 Adults Critically Wounded by Gunmen Looking for the Little Girls Father, Juror: Alex Murdaugh Convinces Himself of His Own Lies, Detroit Man Charged With Killing Friends Tot Daughter, Lesandro Guzman-Feliz valiantly avoided multiple attempted stabbings. A bottle of hate had been uncorked and there was no way to close it. UPDATE! Carrion says the testimony that all of the other wounds were superficial and did not cause Juniors death may not help the defense as much as theyd like. Todays verdict fortifies the Bronx communitys stand against violence.. 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. #justiceforjunior #ripjunior ALL THAT MUST STOP . The injured teen was seen stumbling inside the bodega before exiting and making a run for the hospital. The medical examiner testified the wounds on his back and legs were consistent with being dragged. Theyre believed to have targeted Guzman-Feliz because they believed he was affiliated with a rival gang responsible for shooting one of their members two days earlier. What Better Place To Network Than The Facebook Friends List? New surveillance footage shows the moments before and after Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was brutally jumped and stabbed to death. He was then stabbed and hacked to death with machetes by several attackers after being mistakenly identified. Brown said Janari became the 38th juvenile murdered in gun violence in Chicago in the first seven months of 2020. 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. The 15-year-old had already been pronounced dead inside the hospital, Officer Oikawa would later learn. Is that why Junior was targeted? Photo Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon "It was just starting," he said. Prosecutors showed jurors an autopsy photo showing the lethal wound to the neck of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz. They carried weapons for two reasons for their own protection and to use them to hurt (not kill) a Sunset. Privacy Center | What could be put in place in their neighborhoods to substitute the pull of the gang? ALL 8 SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED #justiceforjunior #JUNIOR #ripjunior #JUSTICE4JUNIOR #justice #bronx. : Reach out just to catch up. Prosecutors showed jurors an autopsy photo showing the lethal wound to the neck of Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz. The first verdict was announced against Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, who delivered the fatal blow with a kitchen knife that ultimately killed Guzman a year ago next week. The incident revealed the barbaric tactics of a gang called the Trinitarios, and it laid bare a glaring paradox: Amid historically low crime rates in New York, police are still struggling to contain brutal violence in some neighborhoods. He makes it to the entrance of the hospital before collapsing. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Reyes, a member of the Bad Boys one of two Trinitarios subsets said gangbangers were gathered outside Sueros apartment, just one block from the slay-scene bodega at East 183rd Street and Bathgate Avenue, when they were instructed to hunt down members of the rival Sunset crew for recently shooting a Bad Boy member. Some Work Things Are Optional. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. This 15-year-old boy, moments before death, fought like hell to get away, said Dolan. Why do so many buy into a life that restricts their freedom, imposes beatings for disobeying gang rules, and calls for violence to others? She detailed the fatal path of the knife through the teens neck, which left a gaping hole on one side and a puncture wound on the other. Closing arguments proved to be just as emotional, as some jury members shed tears. Junior then walks out of the bodega. Members of the Police Departments Law Enforcement Explorers program attending a memorial for Lesandro last year. JOLIET, Ill. (AP) A Chicago-area toddler was hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday after finding an unsecured gun and shooting himself in the head, police said. 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 ADA's argument also included graphic autopsy photos including the slit on Junior's neck the medical examiner says killed him. Dr. Rodriguez said its possible if pressure was applied to the wound and Junior was brought to the hospital earlier, he could have survived. Now that the prosecution had rested its case, the defense can begin to question witnesses next week, and once that process is done, closing arguments will begin. When Junior ran, the group gave chase. The family of Junior had mixed emotions after the verdicts were announced, but Guzman's brother said ultimately, "justice was served. Lets continue to examine why so many youths, particularly from inner cities, are attracted to the brutality of gangs. 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. LexisNexis Brief Analysis produces powerful, near-instant legal argumentation insights using the power of AI. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. They pursued him in cars, mistaking the aspiring NYPD detective for a gangbanger because he supposedly resembled a known one. When the attackers walk in, the worker points out where Junior is hiding, and he gets dragged outof the store. Select from premium Lesandro of the highest quality. 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. They attempted to cast blame on Mr. Martinez Estrella for Lesandros death. Junior then comes back to the store bloodied. We've received your submission. A dozen people appeared in court facing charges related to the death of 15-year-old Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, who was killed in the Bronx. Prosecutors previously said the teen succumbed to a neck wound caused by a 4-and-a-half inch knife that severed his jugular vein. The friend says he told Junior not to come over because it was late. Dr. Rodriguez also said it was possible Junior may have survived if brought to the hospital sooner. Photo Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon They also argued their clients were pretending to stab Lesandro because gang leaders were watching the assault. Only someone in the gang would know the response. The men, traveling in four cars, spotted Lesandro, and one of them shouted a Trinitarios greeting at him: Sunset, Popo, then 1090, which was a password Los Sures used to identify Sunset members, Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes said. 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. Junior and the bodega owner appear to have an exchange with Kevin Alvarez before Junior is grabbed and beaten on the ground. We obtained footage from multiple security cameras and cellphones. Parked outside the bodega are the cars that chased Junior. A teenager hunted down and dragged from a New York City bodega, then swarmed by attackers outside. It also made his story easier to use as a rallying cry to target gangs that attract and control vulnerable teens like Manuel. But at the end, it has a happy ending," said Manny Ortiz. Go after Sunset, you know what you have to do, Suero reportedly told the men. At around 11:30, Junior leaves, and two minutes later security cameras catch him on this corner passing near his home. 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. (L-R) Leandra Feliz and Lesandro Guzman, the mother and father of Lesandro (Junior) Guzman-Feliz, leave Bronx Supreme Court after the arraignments of 12 alleged Trinitarios gang members in July 2018. Except thats not what happened. The teen wanted to be a police. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. During closing arguments, some jurors were seen crying as autopsy photos were displayed. Secure New Clients Using A Content Marketing Funnel, Seth Klarman Doesnt Care Whether J.K. Rowling Is Cancelled. They hang out on a stoop close by, chatting and listening to hip-hop, according to Jason. People visit murder site to mourn the death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz in Bronx in New York, United States on June 27, 2018. . They said that the store did not show good moral character. There is also a petition being spread around demanding the store get its license revoked. See our privacy policy. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Mr. Muniz rushed over wielding a machete while Mr. Garcia, Mr. Rivera and Mr. Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago stabbed at him with large knives, security camera video and other evidence showed. Also consider other hobbies. Officers were called to a . Maybe these wounds didn't contribute to the death but they certainly contributed to the pain and agony he was suffering, which fulfills the elements of murder in the first degree and as a result they're still guilty, he says. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! Nine other suspects are expected to stand trial on lesser charges in connection to the boys death later his year. "If they continue the violence in the city, theyre going to get the same thing. Hes making more money from Hogwarts: Legacy than her anyway. Prosecutors say that Jonaiki Martinez gave the fatal stab, slashing Juniors neck. "Justice for Junior" has become a rallying cry. Mr. Martinez Estrella, a probationary member, boasted to the others that Lesandro would not eat for a very long time because I hit him in the neck, Mr. Reyes testified. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said each of the . His history was whitewashed. Passersby try to help. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I saw he was scared, and he reminded me of a person that I had seen before, Reyes said, adding he felt very bad about the murder. Friends and family told us that Junior wasnt in a gang and the police have no such indication, either. She replied that the wounds they spoke of were superficial and that the only wound that caused his death was the one to his neck. Erica Byfield reports. The vicious murder in June of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz just blocks from his Bronx home drew outrage from across the city and beyond. When The Founder Of SCOTUSblog Calles It Quits, You Know Something Is UP: 5 is a tough crowd, 6 is a waste of time. I explained to her what happened and she told me that I had to come back and face my consequences, he said about confessing to his mom. New York Police Department . Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. After the attack, the gang returned to Mr. Sueros home on Boston Road, Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes said. WNBC reported that the . Does An In Depth Analysis Predicting SCOTUS Decisions Help You Wind Down? Just two days before Junior was killed, a 14-year-old was seriously injured in this attack. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. At the moment I saw his face, my eyes changed. Junior was spotted walking late at night in the Bronx neighborhood frequented by the Sunsets. Manuel Rivera is accused of repeatedly stabbing Junior. If convicted, they face life in prison. Anyone can read what you share. At least 10 people had been injured in June in a series of street battles. Join Nancy Grace and a team of world-class experts for the online course Justice Nation: Crime Stops Here. Kevin Alvarez, who pleaded guilty a weeks ago, took the stand to testify on behalf of the prosecution. Then he walked toward Adams Place, where he sometimes met with friends. Mere days after the trial kicked off startling never-before-seen footage of the savage machete attack was presented by prosecutors. The attention this case brings to the heinous nature of gangs is important. . At least 10 other people have been maimed this summer in tit-for-tat attacks in the Bronx. AP Bronx gangbangers were given the order to inflict "any kind of damage". That order came during a bloody feud within the Trinitarios that had pitted Sunset, which is based in Brooklyn, against Mr. Sueros two Bronx sets, the witnesses said. Henry also told of discovering a five-inch blade inside the passenger seat pocket of suspect Kevins Alvarezs 2003 gray Acura. Video surveillance showed the men dragging Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz out of a Bronx bodega on his back and stabbing him with long knives and a machete. was brutally jumped and stabbed to death. Ultimately, he was slashed in the neck and died after running to a hospital three blocks away. Knitting, perhaps, Some things we just dont share with the class, Kamala Harris Has Been Busy Breaking Judiciary Ties, DOJ Makes Radical Argument That Inciting Violence Is *Not* Within The Scope Of The President's Job, Working To Incorporate Legal Technology Into Your Practice Isn't Just A Great Business Move -- It's Required, Add Ai Research And Catching Up With Your Law School Buds To The Career Growth List See Also, Thomson Reuters Practical Law The Journal: Transactions & Business, The State Of Todays Corporate Law Departments, MyCase Continues To Simplify Law Firm Accounting, Right Where You Manage Your Practice, Meet LINK: The Easy Way To Handle All Your Document Workflows On Your Mobile Device In A Single App, Four Tips For Solo Attorneys To Build Their Marketing And Media Relations Skills, First Impressions Are Worth Millions For Summers. The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps,. After the verdict, Mr. Muniz showed no remorse and shouted, Popote, hasta la muerte! slang for Trinitarios until death.. Frederick Then is the 14th person to be arrested in connection with the stabbing death of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz in the Bronx last June. ), It was shared millions of times on social media and in the general press. Community member Elizabeth De Jesus likened the photo to a horror movie. Defense lawyers for the four other defendants said in their closing arguments that the order from Mr. Suero had only been to injure a Sunset member, not to kill someone. Do not sell my information. Last Friday, five men were convicted of murder in the first degree for the killing of Lesandro Junior Guzman Feliz in June 2018. Instead of turning to police, he turned to the Trinitarios, who like him, shared a Dominican heritage. At least eight other men are on the lookout some, armed with knives. Just after the stabbing death of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman Feliz last June 20, members of the Trinitarios were examining a photo of gang . [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.]. However, police have said the teens murder was a case of mistaken identity. The knife used to deliver the lethal blow to Lesandro Junior Guzman Feliz last June 20 went clear through the teens neck, causing him to bleed to death, the medical examiner, Dr. Sophia Rodriguez, testified. 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. All 14 suspects are reportedly members of the Sures set of the Trinitarios gang. It is unclear if Reyes is in witness protection or has also been released with other gangbanger-turned-witness Kevin Alvarez, 20. As Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a press conference following the verdict, Junior came to symbolize all of the young people who have lost their lives to brutal gang violence. The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps, MACHETE MONSTERS GUILTY.. Fourteen men have been criminally charged in connection with Guzman-Felizs slaying. They gathered outside of Mr. Sueros apartment building on Boston Road, where they smoked hookah and played music. 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.
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