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 father of Junior Guzman-Felizthe 15-year-old New York boy whose mistaken-identity murder was caught on tapereportedly screamed and cursed at one of his son's accused killers during a Thursday court hearing which included testimony of what transpired after the teen's stabbing death. But these verdicts will send a messageto those who would commitacts of senseless violenc, and help us move forward and bring closure to this awful chapter in our borough's history.". But Morgan Dolan, the lead prosecutor, countered that weapons like knives and machetes kill and the gang members went in knowing that.. Mr. Alvarez testified for the prosecution in return for a lenient sentence. 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. How do you protect your children from predators? But some of his friends were, and he had been hanging out with them at Adams Place recently. Its like my son was right here with me., (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. We obtained footage from multiple security cameras and cellphones. : Reach out just to catch up. He did not act with the intent to kill.. A jury began deliberating Thursday on the five mens fates. Seeing his sons clothing proved too much to bear for Juniors father, Lesandro Guzman, who left the courtroom shortly after Oikawas testimony. In recent months, turf wars have spiked among rival Trinitario factions. But the glee I saw in the eyes of spectators at the reading of straight convictions for Murder I was not founded. 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. However, police have said the teens murder was a case of mistaken identity. Sofia Henry also testified Thursday, telling jurors about photos she took on the night of the incident. Also consider other hobbies. Officers were called to a . Recommended Stories Deadline. The night of the murder, my client, Manuel Rivera, wasnt carrying a machete; he wasnt a monster and he never intended to kill Junior. WNBC reported that the grisly images brought some of the jurors to tears. The teen wanted to be a police. All of the men charged have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors rested their case today in the Junior murder trial, but not without a graphic and powerful finish. Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most your children. At Least Your Colleague Spat Wasnt This Bad: Some things we just dont share with the class. 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. 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. It led to a clearer morality tale. Then he starts running to St. Barnabas Hospital, just one block away. They also face manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and weapons charges. 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. Heres how Lexis Search Advantage | Transactional unites internal and external research to create better deals faster. "Justice for Junior" has become a rallying cry. (No one claims responsibility.) "I saw a smile on my mothers face really, really excited.". The ADAs argument also included graphic autopsy photos including the slit on Juniors neck the medical examiner says killed him. Photo Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon "It was just starting," he said. At 11:35, a security camera films four cars driving slowly past the stoop where Juniors friend and some others were sitting. He felt cool. If convicted, they face life in prison. There are nine others charged in Guzman's murder that are still awaiting trial. 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. "This 15-year-old boy, moments before death, fought like . However, all 12 alleged gang members were indicted on second degree murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon. The case grabbed the attention of New Yorkers and across the nation, given that the brutal machete killing of the 15-year-old boy that took place inside a Bronx bodega in the summer of 2018 was captured on surveillance. 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. Instead, he said, he watched as other Trinitarios members dragged Junior outside and hacked him to death with machetes and knives. You can follow her on Twitter:@tonitamess. Juniors friend, a Trinitario, had been attacked by a rival faction and allegedly turned to Junior for help. 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, never-before-seen footage of the savage machete attack, self-proclaimed gang member who testified against the other five alleged Trinitarios members, The defense also tried to discredit Guzman-Feliz, 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, After a weeks-long emotional trial with chilling revelations and graphic photos, the jury reached a verdict in the 'Junior' Guzman trial, All five defendants were found guilty of murder in first and second degree, as well as conspiracy and gang assault charges, One of the defendants was heard saying 'Trinitarios 'till the day I die' as he left the courtroom following the guilty verdicts. Five men approached, including Manuel, weapons in hand. Junior would go on to die outside of St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. 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. Last week, court officers had to restrain and remove a screaming Leandra Feliz as Judge Robert Neary blasted her as hysterical.. . 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. Because he resisted their efforts to stab him does not diminish their intent.. The ADA's argument also included graphic autopsy photos including the slit on Junior's neck the medical examiner says killed him. Junior stumbles back into the bodega, leaving a trail of blood on the floor. 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. And on the night before Juniors murder, he had witnessed another stabbing at Adams Place. JOLIET, Ill. - A toddler accidentally shot himself in the head after he found an unsecured gun in a Joliet home Tuesday afternoon, according to police. Dimas Sanfiorenzo is the Managing Editor for Okayplayer. Surveillance cameras reportedly caught a group of men dragging Guzman-Feliz outside a Bronx bodega before attacking him. 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. 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. 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. Dr. Rodriguez also said it was possible Junior may have survived if brought to the hospital sooner. The medical examiner testified the wounds on his back and legs were consistent with being dragged. A string of shootings across Chicago Wednesday left at least 10 people shot, and, according to police, at least half of those who suffered gunshot wounds were under the age of 16. 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. Junior's parents were not in court, having been warned the images would be shown. The referrals are a nice bonus too, Get to figuring your way around AI sooner rather than later, Enjoy. A post shared by Robert Williams (@areumdawo_saja) on Jun 25, 2018 at 11:00pm PDT. Fourteen men have been criminally charged in connection with Guzman-Felizs slaying. Subscribe and get breaking news, commentary, and opinions on law firms, lawyers, law schools, lawsuits, judges, and more. The defense also tried to discredit Guzman-Feliz alleging he was in a gang photo a notion a detective who took the stand denied. Lets continue to examine why so many youths, particularly from inner cities, are attracted to the brutality of gangs. Guzman-Feliz's mother, Leandra Feliz, wept and screamed at times during the emotional trial.. People visit murder site to mourn the death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz in Bronx in New York, United States on June 27, 2018. . Photo Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon Whether Junior was a gang member or not, didnt justify his death. Just 20 minutes later, Junior is pronounced dead as a result of a stab wound to the neck. I didnt see the person who had just finished getting stabbed there, Mr. Alvarez said, choking back tears. There were gasps from the courtroom as Assistant District Attorney Morgan Dolan presented the graphic photos of Juniors wounds during the testimony of the prosecutions final witness. 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. Juniors parents were not in court, having been warned the images would be shown. Select from premium Lesandro of the highest quality. Closing arguments proved to be just as emotional, as some jury members shed tears. READ: #JusticeForJunior: A Group of Men Fatally Stabbed Bronx Teen With Machete. 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. Do not sell my information. According to prosecutors, Jos Muniz first hacks Junior with a machete. They hang out on a stoop close by, chatting and listening to hip-hop, according to Jason. The trial also included shocking revelations, including when it was learned that the self-proclaimed gang member who testified against the other five alleged Trinitarios members on trial could get off because of his testimony. A GRAPHIC VIEW OF HIS NECK! This Aint One Of Them: Get to figuring your way around AI sooner rather than later. 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. I represented one of the Machete Monsters and I liked him. Diego Suero leaving the 48th Precinct in the Bronx. READ: #JusticeForJunior: 19-Year-Old Charged in the Murder of Bronx Teenager. Only by addressing these issues might other young men like Junior not be killed, and still others like four of the five defendants in this case, not be condemned to life in prison for the actions of a few seconds done by a fellow gang member which they never intended. But Mr. Alvarez testified that Lesandro clearly told the gang he wasnt Sunset. Police officials also have said Lesandro did not belong to a gang. 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. We will never sell or share your information without your consent. He was picked on and one time, beaten up so badly his ribs were broken. At around 11:30, Junior leaves, and two minutes later security cameras catch him on this corner passing near his home. ", "It was a terrible year, it felt like 10 years. They face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole on the murder conviction. "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. Henry also told of discovering a five-inch blade inside the passenger seat pocket of suspect Kevins Alvarezs 2003 gray Acura. New surveillance footage shows the moments before and after Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was brutally jumped and stabbed to death. 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 worker again refuses to help. Prosecutors previously said the teen succumbed to a neck wound caused by a 4-and-a-half inch knife that severed his jugular vein. 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. On June 20, members of both Bronx sets had spent much of the day hunting for their enemies, Mr. Alvarez said. Frederick Then was arrested in 2018 in connection with Lesandros death. 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. The dad struggled to make a living and Manuel struggled in school. Its alleged that defendant Jonaiki Martinez Estrella plunged the knife into Juniors neck near the end of the 20-second attack. But I understand why the People adopted the Junior-as-saint story. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All five defendants Antonio Santigo, Elvin Garcia, Manuel Rivera, Estrella and Muniz were members of the Trinitarios gang. Members of the NYPD Junior league attend Lesandro Guzman-Feliz's funeral cerenomy at Our . The defense attorney for the man who allegedly dealt that throat cut took offense at that. Junior is on summer break from school. Anyone can read what you share. 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. But a leading police theory is the attackers mistakenly believed Junior was in a rival gang. 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. It also made his story easier to use as a rallying cry to target gangs that attract and control vulnerable teens like Manuel. Hes making more money from Hogwarts: Legacy than her anyway. After the attack, the gang returned to Mr. Sueros home on Boston Road, Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes said. The store has not opened since last Wednesday when the incident took place. If they did not participate, the lawyers said, they would have been disciplined. Meanwhile a number of Bronx businesses are learning to be 'safe havens' for people in danger after a bodega owner was criticized for not doing enough 'Junior', who was killed outside his store. 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. It was very painful, Guzman told reporters in Spanish. Kevin Alvarez, who pleaded guilty a weeks ago, took the stand to testify on behalf of the prosecution. : Enjoy. Nine others charged in the killing are awaiting trial. The desperate teenager tried to hide inside of a bodega, but the gang members dragged him from the store and stabbed him to death as security cameras recorded the gruesome scene. But the owner appears to direct him away. 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.