junior'' guzman killers

[17], Guzman-Feliz aspired to become a detective[18] and was a member of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Explorers program, a group for youths interested in law enforcement careers. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. The 15-year-old Guzman-Feliz, ran into the bodega after being chased by the group at around midnight. They chase him across Third Avenue and down East 183rd Street. NEW YORK An entire unit meant to house 50 inmates at Rikers Island has been set aside for three of the men accused of killing 15-year-old Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz at a Bronx bodega, a. The video shows witnesses who knew the victim screaming frantically, holding cloths to his wounds, and attempting to console him as he died. The 14 suspects accused in thefatal stabbingof Lesandro Junior Guzman-Felizin the Bronx are facing justicenearly a year after the teenager was murdered. We've received your submission. The grim facts of Junior's bloody murder were captured on video and widely shared on social media before they were broadcast on the evening news: A group of young men pull the teen from a Bronx. But Guzman-Feliz was innocent and had no gang affiliations, NYPD Commissioner James ONeill said. They will never recover from their immense loss, but we hope it brings some peace to the community in knowing that these defendants will be in prison for years.. They were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in September 2022. If youre interested in the case and the identities of the perpetrators, heres what we know. His family included: his father, Lisandro Guzman; his mother, Leandra Feliz; his older sister, Genesis Collado-Feliz; and his brother, Manuel Ortiz. Justice Robert A. Neary called the killing senseless, savage and cowardly as he sentenced the first defendant, Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, 25, who prosecutors said had struck the fatal blow. The cell phone video shows a dozen or more males arriving and departing at the scene. Judge Robert Neary handed down the sentences to the Trinitarios gang members separately in Bronx Criminal Court, first sending Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, 25, to prison for life without the possibility of parole for the heinous caught-on-camera June 20, 2018 machete and knife killing of 15-year-old Guzman-Feliz. Mr. Muniz, Mr. Garcia and Mr. Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago will be eligible for parole after 25 years, and Mr. Rivera after 23 years. All five gang members were convicted of all four charges each had faced: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy and second-degree gang assault. He added that Muniz slept in city hallways and worked two jobs so he could send money to his mother for medicine. The police later determined that the gang members had mistaken the teenager for someone else. The five men sentenced on Friday were found guilty of murder and gang assault in June after a five-week trial in State Supreme Court in the Bronx that provided a look inside the workings of the Trinitarios, a highly organized and brutally violent gang. I do not know what its like to lose a child, Muniz, who also spoke in Spanish, told the court. Earlier, Muniz had insisted his actions were not equal to what some of the other gang members did. The suspect was allegedly a rival gang member. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was brutally attacked and slashed to death in June 2018 in a case of mistaken identity. Three men Danel Fernandez, 21; Jose Muniz, 21 and Santiago Rodriguez, 24 accused in the killing of Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz have been isolated from other inmates because of threats made against them, sources said. He was fatally wounded by a stab to the neck that was 4/ inches deep, a pathologist told jurors at the murder trial. She. These men, leaders of a Trinitarios set, commanded their members to go out and commit violence, DA Darcel Clark said in a statement. The judge also added that it was troubling to him when Muniz shouted at the court Popote, hasta la muerte or Trinitarios until death when he was convicted in June. One of the suspects accused of killing Bronx teen Lesandro (Junior) Guzman-Feliz was slashed in the face by a rival gang member inside a Rikers Island housing unit Tuesday, the Daily News has. [31], Nearly a full year after Guzman-Feliz was killed outside of the Bronx bodega, five accused suspects were convicted of his murder. The prisoners have received death threats. Then all these men, not a single one said, No, no, no, dont do it, Feliz continued, adding that on that tragic night there were two deaths: Junior and I, who was left dead inside., This group of evil criminals using their gang-related activities decided to go out and kill, she said. Savage is another word. In a Bronx courtroom on June 14, 2019, a jury convicted Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Manuel Rivera, Elvin Garcia, Jose Muniz, and Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, gang assault, and conspiracy. [25][26][27], Police alleged Suero to be the ringleader, who ordered the murder of Guzman-Feliz. The five men are the latest to be convicted for the horrific, caught-on-camera slaying of the innocent 15-year-old in a Bronx bodega on June 20, 2018 that left New York City reeling. He told the store owner that Guzman-Feliz was believed to be part of a rival gang that had shot one of their own, and the store owner told them to take the fight outside, Alvarez testified. Justice has been done in the savage beating death of promising Bronx teen Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz, prosecutors said Friday. Fernandez appears to be holding a knife in the video, but doesnt stab Guzman-Feliz. You and your fellow gang members chased down and slaughtered a 15-year-old, defenseless boy in the most gruesome manner, and we in this courtroom had the misfortune of witnessing it on tape, the judge said. Within the following couple of months, 14 members of the Trinitarios gang were arrested for the homicide. Photo Credit: NYPD. Public outrage ensued when the graphic video of Guzman-Feliz's killing began to circulate on the Internet. It had everything to do with a friend of his, he told the courta pal named Carlos Cabral who was shot in the eye two nights before Guzman-Feliz was fatally stabbed outside a bodega. When his mother got out of jail, she suffered a stroke, the lawyer said. The 15-year-old Guzman-Feliz, ran into the bodega after being chased by the group at around midnight. Terry Monahan said, That video made it on social media very quickly. This story has been shared 658,628 times. The gang had been hunting for enemies and thought Lesandro was a member of a rival group, according to trial testimony. It brings closure in the criminal justice aspect but does not bring an end to the pain Juniors family and friends still suffer, Clark said Friday. As of now, a total of seven gang members have been convicted and sentenced in the 2018 death of 15-year-old Junior. Another photo shows suspect Manuel Rivera from the back, his curly hair dyed platinum blonde, playing cards at a table with other inmates. Jail population has been reduced at Rikers, so moving them into a separate unit was not an issue. I said come on, come on. He said, oh yeah, mommy, its okay I give him the five dollars, its okay Im coming home. Junior managed to run to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where he succumbed to his fatal injuries. TREMONT, The Bronx (WABC) -- Two alleged gang leaders convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of Bronx teenager Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz were sentenced to 25 years to life in. He was caught on surveillance video plunging a knife into Juniors neck. The straight blade entered the right side of his neck and severed his jugular vein, Dr. Sophia Rodriguez said. On the night of Guzman-Felizs death, the group had gathered at Sueros home to plan the attack, police said. A video of the brutal stabbing went viral. Police say this surveillance image shows Elvin Garcia wearing a black mask outside the bodega where "Junior" was killed. The boy ran toward a nearby hospital, but collapsed and bled to death before he could get help. Muniz, of the Bronx, was the first to stab Guzman-Feliz, striking him multiple times with a machete, according to reports and surveillance video of the attack. As per Leandra, Junior had left home to lend five dollars to a friend. He tried to take refuge in a bodega near his home, jumping over the counter, but multiple gang members stormed into the deli, punching him and dragging him outside, where Guzman-Feliz was stabbed with knives and the machete. When the other men rushed over toGuzman-Feliz with machetes and knives, Alvarez said he backed off and "was scared of what was about to happen," the Times report said. Surveillance video showed the group punching Junior before they dragged him to the sidewalk, where five other members then hacked him to death with knives and a machete. Los Sures leader Diego Suero and his second-in-command Frederick Then who ordered their followers to commit violence against the Sunset subset of the Trinitarios the night the teen was butchered were both found guilty of second-degree murder and are serving sentences of 25 to life. Muniz said of Guzman-Feliz, It may be true he was not a gang member, but the day my friend was shot, he was there., Later, Guzman-Felizs older brother, Manny Ortiz, told reporters outside the Bronx Hall of Justice, You cannot give credit to a criminal. Jonaiki Martinez Estrella slashed "Junior" in the throat, according to the surveillance video and reports. Surveillance video shows that it was Martinez Estrella who delivered the 4-and-a-half-inch-deep knife blow to Guzman-Felizs neck, which ultimately killed him, prosecutors had argued. A relative also claimed a Trinitarios gang member sent them a SnapChat message stating the attackers confused Junior with someone else at the time of the attack. The dying boy, with a lethal wound to his neck, bled out on the sidewalk outside St. Barnabas Hospital. Eight of them areexpected to go on trial separately from the first five suspects. They matched the faces of the perpetrators inside the bodega with the ones outside the store. The judge spared Muniz a sentence of life without parole, but imposed a sentence of 25 years to life. If it were up to me, I would sentence these murderers to 300 years in prison, she said in court. She accused them of being equally guilty but claimed she understood why the bargains might be necessary. Two ringleaders in the killing Diego Suero and Frederick Then were convicted of murder and sentenced in September to 25 years to life in prison. Guzman-Feliz died after collapsing near the entrance of St. Barnabas Hospital. Weekends have become a battle to stay busy for him because those were the days he used to spend with his son. According to local news reports,Jonaiki, then 25, was sentenced to life without parole. The defendants actions culminated in the brutal attack on Lesandro Junior Guzman Since Junior was taken from his family, we have been relentless to attain justice for him, Clark said in a statement. He was the 11th man to be arrested inthe teens death. As they were driving in four vehicles in Sunsetterritory, they encountered 15-year-old Guzman-Feliz. He was fatally wounded by a stab to the neck that was 4/ inches deep, a pathologist told. Muniz, a member of the Trinitarios gang, is facing life in prison after a jury last Friday found him and his cohorts guilty of murder and gang assault. I am not sure you sense the magnitude of what youve done., Before Justice Neary handed down the sentences, Lesandros parents gave emotional speeches describing their loss. Seven other suspects had previously been sentenced in the case. The men chased Lesandro for blocks, catching up to him as he tried to hide inside the Cruz and Chiky Grocery, a bodega at East 183rd Street and Bathgate Avenue. The expecting mother will need diapers and bottles, but she will also need comfy maternity clothes to wear throughout her pregnancy or a maternity pillow. He gave the others the order to bring Guzman-Feliz out of the bodega,Alvarez said. Mr. Riveras lawyer, Toni Messina, said her client was too young to fully comprehend what he was doing. He was found guilty.. [4] After recognizing Junior and seeing his fear, the store owner relented and allowed him behind the counter,[5] but Junior was nevertheless spotted by one of the gang members, who then proceeded to drag him outside, where three others waited. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Garcias girlfriendtestified in the trial on May 28. He is accused of driving one of the vehicles that the suspects used to track down Guzman-Feliz on the night he was killed, per reports. He is suspected of chasing Guzman-Feliz toward the bodega and police said he was seen in one of the vehicles associated with the attack. You disgraced your family and the judge said it was troubling that Muniz yelled Trinitarios to the death as he left court on the day of the verdict. Seen in a white T-shirt and black baseball hat in the surveillance video, Alvarez was one of the men to follow Guzman-Feliz into the bodega. Fernandez, of the Bronx, also is seen in the surveillance video dragging Guzman-Feliz out of the bodega. Senseless is one of these words. The six defendants pleaded guilty to manslaughter in November and December. Junior in fact had zero gang ties. Kevin Alvarez revealed at trial that if he testifies truthfully for the prosecution in multiple cases, his guilty plea to Manslaughter 1 will be dropped and he will be released with time served. He turned himself in to police in September about a week after the NYPD said he was wanted for questioning. Here I am, a mother without my sonan innocent, 15 year-old boy who was not a gang member who roamed the streets with bad intentions, mom Leandra Feliz said. The alleged masterminds of the crime, 33-year-old Diego Suero and 24-year-old Frederick Then, were accused of being the leaders of the Los Sures set of the Trinitarios gang. His mother Leandra Feliz demanded his sons killers be held accountable, starting a Justice for Junior campaign that spread nationwide along with the stomach-turning video of his murder. But ahead of his sentencing, Muniz begged for forgiveness. Neary then turned his venom to Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, telling him: What youve done brought disgrace to any real Dominican., I find it ironic that when you were arrested you bragged to the detective Im a real Dominican, puffing out your chest. A Bronx judge slammed the five gangbangers who killed Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz with lengthy prison terms Friday, but saved his sharpest rebuke for the teens cowardly executioner. Unfortunately, his dream was crushed by these dangerous gang members, said Feliz. 19-year-old Manuel Rivera was sentenced to 23 years to life because of his age at the time of the crime. Guzman-Felizs killers mistook him as a member of a rival gang, but the boy was just an innocent teenager. On June 24, 2018, Kevin Alvarez and Michael Sosa Reyes turned themselves in since their faces were visible on the videos circulating the internet. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Santos, of the Bronx, was caught by police in July while driving on I-84 in Danbury, Connecticut. PIX11 News obtained exclusive jailhouse photos showing the accused killers. You have every Latin gang, including the Trinitarios, after them, the source said. The gang has provided the men with money, status and protection in return for their unflinching loyalty in carrying out orders from their superiors. [22] The corner of Bathgate Avenue and 183rd Street, where Guzman-Feliz was killed, was ceremonially renamed "Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz Way" in February 2019, on his mother's birthday. . The gang apologized for the killing to the victim's family on social media. He was wearing a black T-shirt and a green head wrap. This week the authorities announced the indictment of 15 more members of the same gang, accusing them of carrying out attacks with machetes, knives and fists in Upper Manhattan. You should be a poster boy for any young man contemplating to join a gang, the judge said. This story has been shared 658,628 times. So, as the 22-year old convicted killer and gang member apologized to Junior Guzman-Felizs family and said he prayed on his knees every night for God to give them strength he revealed, for the first time, the motive in the 15-year-olds murder. The graphic footage of the killing sent shockwaves through the country and the world. With all the surveillance feed at their disposal, the NYPD turned toward the RTCC for identifying the perpetrators, using cutting-edge facial recognition technology. Neary, who called Martinez Estrella the executioner, continued: You destroyed a young life, condemned his family and yours to a lifetime of pain and despair., Before being hit with the sentence, a Spanish-speaking Martinez Estrella said through a translator, First of all, I want to say sorry to his family and ask forgiveness, prompting someone in the courtroom to yell out, Bullst!, My intention was not to cause the death of this kid or cause injuries that would end up in the loss of his life, continued Martinez Estrella, who claimed he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs..

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