Also consider other hobbies. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. All five defendants Antonio Santigo, Elvin Garcia, Manuel Rivera, Estrella and Muniz were members of the Trinitarios gang. At least 10 people had been injured in June in a series of street battles. 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. The injured teen was seen stumbling inside the bodega before exiting and making a run for the hospital. At least 10 other people have been maimed this summer in tit-for-tat attacks in the Bronx. One man, identified by prosecutors as Jose Tavarez, enters the bodega and spots Junior. Junior was spotted walking late at night in the Bronx neighborhood frequented by the Sunsets. 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. They probablywon't forget itfor the rest of their lives.. If you have a knife, you stab. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Last week, court officers had to restrain and remove a screaming Leandra Feliz as Judge Robert Neary blasted her as hysterical.. Man arrested for stealing fire department truck:, Coincidence prompted Powerball winner to buy ticket, Two women attacked from behind by group: NYPD, Moose on the Loose: Battle to become Yankees shortstop, Pop-up grocery store opens in Greenwich Village, Expert raises awareness about eating disorders, NY Rep. Dan Goldman talks House ethics probe into, What to know about teens and their mental health, Read Across America Day kicks off at NYC bookstore, Womens History Month: Highlighting women in medicine. "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. People visit murder site to mourn the death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz in Bronx in New York, United States on June 27, 2018. . Junior suffered multiple wounds to his face, back, chest, legs and hands. Stuck Drafting A Tough Brief? Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Ultimately, he was slashed in the neck and died after running to a hospital three blocks away. 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. (Obtained by New York Daily News ). The blood-soaked clothes worn by slain Bronx teen Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz as he was hacked at by a machete-wielding mob were displayed to jurors at the boys murder trial Thursday, prompting several spectators to burst into tears and his anguished father to exit the courtroom. What Better Place To Network Than The Facebook Friends List? Closing arguments continue in the murder trial of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz, 15, was slashed in the neck with a machete at a bodega in the Bronx on June 19, 2018. He was a skinny kid, just 120 pounds, 56 inches tall. Community member Elizabeth De Jesus likened the photo to a horror movie. They face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole on the murder conviction. Newly released videos show Junior's desperate final moments before being hacked to death PIX11 News 186K subscribers Subscribe Like Save 3.8M views 4 years ago Show more Show more Notice. According to prosecutors, Jos Muniz first hacks Junior with a machete. Juniors mother Leandra Guzman had to be escorted from the courtroom last week when she began screaming and shaking after viewing gruesome footage of her son being attacked by a group of alleged gangbangers. 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 where the teen is seen being dragged outside the bodega and attacked by a gang of five men who stabbed him with knives and hacked him with a machete as he struggled to defend himself. After the attack, the gang returned to Mr. Sueros home on Boston Road, Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes said. 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. At the moment I saw his face, my eyes changed. His history was whitewashed. It was Mr. Suero who had sent them out on June 20, 2018, armed with machetes and knives, to search for members of Sunset to attack, the two cooperating witnesses said. Whether Junior was a gang member or not, didnt justify his death. Its Wednesday, June 20. According to . She said the jugular wound caused him to lose a lot of blood, but blood rushed out more quickly because no one applied pressure and he ran to the hospital. The convicted killers will be sentenced Tuesday, July 16. 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. Junior stumbles back into the bodega, leaving a trail of blood on the floor. The injured teen was seen stumbling inside the bodega before exiting and making a run for the hospital. Members of the Police Departments Law Enforcement Explorers program attending a memorial for Lesandro last year. Subscribe and get breaking news, commentary, and opinions on law firms, lawyers, law schools, lawsuits, judges, and more. But what the autopsy report meticulously documented was that Junior suffered minor physical injury, superficial wounds, no bigger than a lentil, except for a large wound to his neck. Meanwhile, the defense argued that testimony supports that the suspects didnt mean to kill Guzman-Feliz. At around 11:30, Junior leaves, and two minutes later security cameras catch him on this corner passing near his home. At 11:35, a security camera films four cars driving slowly past the stoop where Juniors friend and some others were sitting. Only someone in the gang would know the response. Junior gestures for someone to call 911. A warning: These next scenes are hard to watch, and weve obscured some graphic parts. Mr. Reyes testified that Lesandro responded by raising his hand and saying Que lo siete, which Mr. Reyes said signaled that the teenager was a Sunset member. WNBC reported that the . Juniors parents, Leandra Feliz and Lisandro Guzman, were not present in the courtroom during the medical examiners testimony. Junior begins to run and the cars give chase. The cars briefly stop at this intersection, and then turn left in the direction of Juniors path. 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. . But a leading police theory is the attackers mistakenly believed Junior was in a rival gang. The dad struggled to make a living and Manuel struggled in school. 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. Members of Los Sures took orders from a leader named Diego Suero, whom they called Santa Claus.. I dont want to see it again. 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. 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. Nils Gerber and Stephen Ball, Stacks' attorneys, presented evidence and rested their case after about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Brown said Janari became the 38th juvenile murdered in gun violence in Chicago in the first seven months of 2020. : Enjoy. On the night of Juniors murder, Trinitarios were driving around looking for Sunset members when they spotted the 15-year-old walking. What could be put in place in their neighborhoods to substitute the pull of the gang? Then he walked toward Adams Place, where he sometimes met with friends. New Yorkers flooded investigators with tips. Of those 38, five were under the age of 10. The jury, comprised of 11 women and one man, reached the verdict Friday after going into deliberations Thursday. He specializes, New surveillance footage shows the moments before and after. Select from premium Lesandro of the highest quality. Manuel Rivera is accused of repeatedly stabbing Junior. It is unclear what the jury decided on. We want to know your views on law firm policies and culture. 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. 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. He was depicted in murals and online with a halo and angel wings. During the cops testimony, a white t-shirt completely saturated in the boys blood as well as blood-soaked boxers, a sock, and a blue zip-up sweatshirt designed with stars and stripes were shown to jurors. WNBC reported that the grisly images brought some of the jurors to tears. The murder of Lesandro, who went by the nickname Junior, was well documented on videotape from security cameras and the cellphones of witnesses, providing prosecutors with hard proof to support their case. A New York prosecutor detailed how hard a 15-year-old tried to fight off a group of accused gang members as they allegedly stabbed him to death in front of a bodega last summer. Closing arguments proved to be just as emotional, as some jury members shed tears. Alvarez, who testified last week as a cooperating witness, pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in a deal with Bronx prosecutors and is expected to serve no prison time. He believed hed found a place to belong. 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. Do not sell my information. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.]. Facing first-degree murder charges in Juniors death are alleged Trinitarios street gang members Antonio Rodriguez, Hernandez Santiago, Elvin Garcia, Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Jos Muiz and Manuel Rivera. Todays verdict fortifies the Bronx communitys stand against violence., Lesandros mother, Leandra Feliz said, Im not going to have my son back, but those killers, those murderers, theyre not going to be outside killing another kid.. Manuel Rivera came from the Dominican Republic (legally) at age 15 with his dad and two sisters. A dozen alleged gang members were indicted July 18, with five charged with first degree murder, which includes torture, for the June 20 death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz and could face life in prison without parole. I didnt see the person who had just finished getting stabbed there, Mr. Alvarez said, choking back tears. No one, not prosecutors or police, wanted to admit, that Junior had gang connections. The only injury that caused Juniors death was clearly the neck wound. Its alleged that defendant Jonaiki Martinez Estrella plunged the knife into Juniors neck near the end of the 20-second attack. 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. dragged him from the store and stabbed him to death. The family of Junior had mixed emotions after the verdicts were announced, but Guzman's brother said ultimately, "justice was served. Putting four young men in jail for life for a murder they didnt intend (each was either running away, or nowhere near Junior when Estrella inflicted the fatal wound) should thrill no one. But he acted with intent to harm. Five gangbangers are on trial for the murder of the 15-year-old in the tragic case of mistaken identity. Heres a list of where to volunteer in NYC: Lex Lumpkin talks about new show The Watchful Eye, Debunking food safety myths with a chefs help, Fun, easy Holi-inspired crafts to try with kids, Spot warning signs of teens declining mental health, Simple spring break cocktails to make at home, Patrick Kane to make Rangers debut against Senators, Rangers KAndre Miller suspended 3 games for spitting, Kane incoming? 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. They attempted to cast blame on Mr. Martinez Estrella for Lesandros death. Oiwaka 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. 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. Instead of turning to police, he turned to the Trinitarios, who like him, shared a Dominican heritage. Junior rushes into this bodega just one block from his home. "If they continue the violence in the city, theyre going to get the same thing. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced the cause of death for slain teen Lesandro Guzman-Feliz. #justiceforjunior #ripjunior ALL THAT MUST STOP . Prosecutors showed jurors an autopsy photo showing the lethal wound to the neck of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz. She said she watched the attack from an apartment window and ran downstairs to try to help. After a weeks-long trial filled with emotional testimonies, chilling revelations and graphic photos, the jury reached a verdict in the Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz murder trial. WPIX reported that theyre charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and conspiracy. She used her summation to show the jury the boys final moments repeatedly, slowing it down to show each defendants actions. You can follow her on Twitter:@tonitamess. The friend says they felt things were getting dicey and went inside. Nearly a year after Lesandro was killed, a jury found five of the men guilty of murder and related charges on Friday, capping five weeks of testimony that provided a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the Trinitarios, a highly organized and brutally violent Dominican gang. See our privacy policy. Junior is on summer break from school. Recommended Stories Deadline. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. (Obtained by NY Daily News). Dr. Sophia Rodriguez from the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed Juniors autopsy and testified that the more than 4-inch deep wound was caused by a single-edge knife or blade. The footage went viral and with it, rumor and speculation about why the 15-year-old boy known as Junior was singled out. Five menSantiago Rodriguez, 24, Joniki Matinez, 24, Jose Muniz, 21, Danel Fernandez, 21, and Manuel Rivera, 18are currently on trial for the 2018 filmed murder. Mr. Reyes said the conflict started when two Sunset members joined the Bad Boys, angering a Sunset member who had gone to prison for a crime the two members had committed. The murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, known as Junior, drew outrage across New York City. The men punched and kicked Lesandro before dragging him out. The boy was slashed in the neck and died after running to a hospital three blocks away. Police had seized the footage that night and it got leaked. News and analysis from this company could be a game-changer for legal professionals working globally. However, four defense attorneys contested this notion, describing during opening statements that most of Guzman-Feliz's wounds as superficial and said it was the one cut to the throat that killed him. "This 15-year-old boy, moments before death, fought like . But it was Mr. Martinez Estrella who delivered the fatal blow when he shoved a large knife into the side of Lesandros neck, penetrating 4.5 inches and cutting his jugular vein, a medical examiner testified. Also consider other hobbies. This Tool Can Help. They said their subsets, called Los Sures and Bad Boys, abided by a strict code of conduct. He felt cool. 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. ", "It was a terrible year, it felt like 10 years. Video: EXCLUSIVE: Race faker Jessica Krug hailed Bronx bodega murder of 15-year-old Junior Guzman a 'revolutionary moment' because 'he wanted to be a cop' and mistakenly claimed he was . Dixon's closing arguments also included the presentation of autopsy photos showing the wound to Guzman-Feliz's neck which reportedly killed him. But Reyes told the court that he couldnt follow through with Sueros order after looking Junior in the face. Once that video was out, it took on a life of its own causing the defendants to lose the presumption of innocence and any chance for a fair trial (at least that close in time to the event itself under one year. But some of the most powerful evidence came from two gang members involved in the attack who testified for the prosecution in return for lenient sentences: Kevin Alvarez, 20, and Michael Reyes, 20. It brought cries for vengeance couched in the Justice for Junior slogan. Join Nancy Grace and a team of world-class experts for the online course Justice Nation: Crime Stops Here. Seeing his sons clothing proved too much to bear for Juniors father, Lesandro Guzman, who left the courtroom shortly after Oikawas testimony. ), It was shared millions of times on social media and in the general press. (No one claims responsibility.) After the verdict, Mr. Muniz showed no remorse and shouted, Popote, hasta la muerte! slang for Trinitarios until death.. Is Your Firm Keeping Pace With The Advancements In eDiscovery? 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. Continuing coverage on the trial can be read here. ", If you have a gun, you shoot, he testified. Dixons closing arguments also included the presentation of autopsy photos showing the wound to Guzman-Felizs neck which reportedly killed him. Investigators say the group mistook Guzman-Feliz, who was not affiliated with any gang, for a member of the rival fraction of the Trinitarios gang. The friend says he told Junior not to come over because it was late. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! Todays verdict fortifies the Bronx communitys stand against violence.. My client, age 18 (and nine months, as the prosecutor liked to remind jurors), had joined a dangerous gang, the Trinitarios, and without the benefit of his mother, left behind in the Dominican Republic, made some very poor decisions that will now land him in jail probably for the rest of his life.