The defense team asked Dr. Rodriguez if any of these additional wounds contributed to the teens death. The worker again refuses to help. Then, Elvin Garcia, who police say is seen here wearing a mask. There, leaders passed around cellphone pictures of various Sunset members and asked the returning soldiers to identify the person they stabbed. 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. At 10:05 p.m., security footage shows Junior leaving home to meet his friend Jason Velez at this corner. 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. The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps,. Reyes told the jury he chased a frightened Junior inside the bodega and lied to the storekeeper that the teen had done something to my grandmother.. Parked outside the bodega are the cars that chased Junior. Mr. Alvarez testified for the prosecution in return for a lenient sentence. 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. In total, more than a dozen suspects have been arrested in connection to the killing. The night of the murder, my client, Manuel Rivera, wasnt carrying a machete; he wasnt a monster and he never intended to kill Junior. The indicted are due back in court Oct. 25. Five men approached, including Manuel, weapons in hand. 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. Bronx gangbangers were given the order to inflict any kind of damage they could on rivals just three days before the murder of innocent teen Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz, according to court testimony Friday. Is Your Firm Keeping Pace With The Advancements In eDiscovery? 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. The ADAs argument also included graphic autopsy photos including the slit on Juniors neck the medical examiner says killed him. 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. After Junior was stabbed outside the Bronx bodega, he is seen in surveillance video clutching his neck and attempting to run to the nearby hospital, where he eventually collapsed on a sidewalk and bled to death. According to prosecutors, Jos Muniz first hacks Junior with a machete. Guzman-Feliz had been part of the NYPD's Explorers program, a group for youths interested in a law enforcement career. The cars then split up and appear to surround him. Closing arguments proved to be just as emotional, as some jury members shed tears. An 13th suspect has been confirmed arrested in Junior . At the foot of the location I noticed a lot of blood, and people frantically screaming," Officer Oiwaka said about arriving at the entrance to St. Barnabas Hospital in Belmont, where Junior bleeding profusely from his wounds had collapsed in a frantic attempt to get help. The second day of trial in the killing of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was emotional and filled with graphic video and photos. 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. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes described how their subsets of the Trinitarios terrorized rivals, including a Trinitarios splinter group called Sunset. But some of his friends were, and he had been hanging out with them at Adams Place recently. The referrals are a nice bonus too, Get to figuring your way around AI sooner rather than later, Enjoy. He was walking toward Adams Place, a small street about five minutes away thats known for gang activity. 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. Members of the Bronx sets also wanted revenge because a Sunset member had shot one of the Bad Boys in the face, Mr. Alvarez said. Last Friday, five men were convicted of murder in the first degree for the killing of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman Feliz in June 2018. Then he starts running to St. Barnabas Hospital, just one block away. Todays verdict fortifies the Bronx communitys stand against violence.. Juniors parents, Leandra Feliz and Lisandro Guzman, were not present in the courtroom during the medical examiners testimony. That isgonna stick with this jury for the rest of the weekend, he says. She said it cut the bone that protects the spinal cord and left an exit wound on the other side of his neck. 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. Community member Elizabeth De Jesus likened the photo to a horror movie. Meanwhile, the defense argued that testimony supports that the suspects didnt mean to kill Guzman-Feliz. Just 20 minutes later, Junior is pronounced dead as a result of a stab wound to the neck. The federal judiciary is getting more diverse. 2023 Breaking Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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. Fellow defendant Jose Muniz was heard saying "Trinitarios to the day I die" as he left the courtroom following the guilty verdicts. But Morgan Dolan, the lead prosecutor, countered that weapons like knives and machetes kill and the gang members went in knowing that.. Seeing his sons clothing proved too much to bear for Juniors father, Lesandro Guzman, who left the courtroom shortly after Oikawas testimony. Instead of turning to police, he turned to the Trinitarios, who like him, shared a Dominican heritage. Prosecutors showed jurors an autopsy photo showing the lethal wound to the neck of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz. His English was poor. Heres How To Get Yours Right. The boy was slashed in the neck and died after running to a hospital three blocks away. But at the end, it has a happy ending," said Manny Ortiz. It brought cries for vengeance couched in the Justice for Junior slogan. 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. 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. Prosecutors say that Jonaiki Martinez gave the fatal stab, slashing Juniors neck. 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. (Obtained by 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. Of those 38, five were under the age of 10. The attention this case brings to the heinous nature of gangs is important. New York Police Department . Junior rushes into this bodega just one block from his home. 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. This 15-year-old boy, moments before death, fought like hell to get away, said Dolan. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He only said that one word -- "water," she testified. 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. One made a gesture as if he were going to hit Lesandro and the teenager ran, the witnesses said. When the attackers walk in, the worker points out where Junior is hiding, and he gets dragged outof the store. Since the violent attack, the communitys outpouring of love and support has been seen in a mural. The night before Lesandro was killed, a large fight had erupted between the gangs, he said. Five more gang members pleaded guilty in the brutal machete stabbing death of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz inside a Bronx bodega in 2018. Only someone in the gang would know the response. 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. Reyes said the order implied: If you have a gun, shoot it, if you a have a knife, you stab, if you have a machete, you use it.. Manuel Rivera came from the Dominican Republic (legally) at age 15 with his dad and two sisters. If they did not participate, the lawyers said, they would have been disciplined. 270p. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Guzman-Feliz's death sparked outrage in the Bronx and beyond and spurred the allocation of $18 million toward gang prevention in the borough. Whether Junior was a gang member or not, didnt justify his death. They gathered outside of Mr. Sueros apartment building on Boston Road, where they smoked hookah and played music. He was then stabbed and hacked to death with machetes by several attackers after being mistakenly identified. 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. dragged him from the store and stabbed him to death. 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. At Least Your Colleague Spat Wasnt This Bad: Some things we just dont share with the class. He did not act with the intent to kill.. Although this position was strenuously argued by defense counsel, the jury ignored it. 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. 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. . Dr. Rodriguez confirmed what was already revealed in her report: that Juniors cause of death was a stab wound to the neck that came from a knife 4 1/2 inches in depth cutting his jugular vein.. READ: #JusticeForJunior: A Group of Men Fatally Stabbed Bronx Teen With Machete. The New York City Police Foundation announced it planned to set up a scholarship in his name. Both times the worker refuses to help the young teen. The defense will have a chance Monday to call witnesses to the stand if they chose. On June 20, members of both Bronx sets had spent much of the day hunting for their enemies, Mr. Alvarez said. Just after the stabbing death of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman Feliz last June 20, members of the Trinitarios were examining a photo of gang . Hes at home with his mother. The mural outside of the bodega where Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was attacked bears his birth and death dates: 2002 and 2018. They are under investigation for failing to help. 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. Junior then walks out of the bodega. Last week, court officers had to restrain and remove a screaming Leandra Feliz as Judge Robert Neary blasted her as hysterical.. The medical examiner testified the wounds on his back and legs were consistent with being dragged. Its 11:37. However, all 12 alleged gang members were indicted on second degree murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon. 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 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. Members of Los Sures took orders from a leader named Diego Suero, whom they called Santa Claus.. She used her summation to show the jury the boys final moments repeatedly, slowing it down to show each defendants actions. Just two days before Junior was killed, a 14-year-old was seriously injured in this attack. Junior is on summer break from school. 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. This Tool Can Help. "Today's verdicts will not bring Junior back. 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? Its horrific, defense attorney Kyle Watters said of his client, Estrella. 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. Prosecutors previously said the teen succumbed to a neck wound caused by a 4-and-a-half inch knife that severed his jugular vein. 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. Five other people have been arrested and accused of involvement in the crime. 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. "If they continue the violence in the city, theyre going to get the same thing. After the verdict, Mr. Muniz showed no remorse and shouted, Popote, hasta la muerte! slang for Trinitarios until death.. Dimas Sanfiorenzo is the Managing Editor for Okayplayer. 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.". 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. This story has been shared 137,355 times. Warning: Details of Fridays testimony are graphic in nature and may be disturbing to some. In the beginning of the video, the teen is seen trying to hide behind the counter. We want to know your views on law firm policies and culture. "See what happens with those killers," said Leandra Feliz. The murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, known as Junior, drew outrage across New York City. We talked to police sources, family members and other witnesses. 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. 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. He makes it to the entrance of the hospital before collapsing. 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. We will never sell or share your information without your consent. 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. It was very painful, Guzman told reporters in Spanish. Lets continue to examine why so many youths, particularly from inner cities, are attracted to the brutality of gangs. Members of the NYPD Junior league attend Lesandro Guzman-Feliz's funeral cerenomy at Our . 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. Police had seized the footage that night and it got leaked. Mere days after the trial kicked off startling never-before-seen footage of the savage machete attack was presented by prosecutors. On the night of June 20th , he was ordered by a leader nicknamed Psycho to find a Sunset (a rival gang member). Then he walked toward Adams Place, where he sometimes met with friends. Brown said Janari became the 38th juvenile murdered in gun violence in Chicago in the first seven months of 2020. But a leading police theory is the attackers mistakenly believed Junior was in a rival gang. Sofia Henry also testified Thursday, telling jurors about photos she took on the night of the incident. Sabathia. 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. Reyes fled to the Dominican Republic on June 21 to see his mother after learning he was present in a murder but returned the following day and handed himself in to police before entering a plea deal in August. 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. Dr. Rodriguez said its possible if pressure was applied to the wound and Junior was brought to the hospital earlier, he could have survived. Hundreds attended his funeral last summer. 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. 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. READ: #JusticeForJunior: 19-Year-Old Charged in the Murder of Bronx Teenager. Its Wednesday, June 20. They carried weapons for two reasons for their own protection and to use them to hurt (not kill) a Sunset. How do you protect your children from predators? A bottle of hate had been uncorked and there was no way to close it. 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 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 the night of Juniors murder, Trinitarios were driving around looking for Sunset members when they spotted the 15-year-old walking. How Junior was killed follows a pattern of attacks by Trinitarios, a Dominican gang that was born in New York prisons. 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. Add AI Research And Catching Up With Your Law School Buds To The Career Growth List -- See Also, Reach out just to catch up. We're about five years off of Best Buy having a 'Legal Troubleshooting' department, aren't we? 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. "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. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. The jury, comprised of 11 women and one man, reached the verdict Friday after going into deliberations Thursday. But I understand why the People adopted the Junior-as-saint story. No one, not prosecutors or police, wanted to admit, that Junior had gang connections. Guzman-Feliz had been part of the NYPD's Explorers program, a group for youths interested in a law enforcement career. Junior then comes back to the store bloodied. At the moment I saw his face, my eyes changed. 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. WPIX reported that theyre charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and conspiracy. 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. 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. 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. Is that why Junior was targeted? UPDATE! It led to a clearer morality tale. A warning: These next scenes are hard to watch, and weve obscured some graphic parts. A jury began deliberating Thursday on the five mens fates. All five defendants were found guilty of murder in first and second degree, as well as conspiracy and gang assault charges. Registration or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. They also face manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and weapons charges. You can follow her on Twitter:@tonitamess. 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. I dont want to see it again. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! They hang out on a stoop close by, chatting and listening to hip-hop, according to Jason. . 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. Erica Byfield reports. Last Friday, five men were convicted of murder in the first degree for the killing of Lesandro Junior Guzman Feliz in June 2018. As one defense counsel said in his summation, the biggest obstacle in this case for defendants was not the facts, it was the anger and the desire for retribution., The video of the killing was released to social media only hours after Juniors death. 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. I didnt see the person who had just finished getting stabbed there, Mr. Alvarez said, choking back tears. Both times the worker refuses to help the young teen. 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. Photo Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon stop killing our brothersThe full story about 15-year old teen junior stabbed to death Justice for. That night, Lesandro had left his home on Bathgate Avenue to lend a friend $5, his mother had said during an interview last year. 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. : Enjoy. 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. It was a lawyers argument (as the judges law clerk put it) intellectual, nitpicky not visceral. Junior M&A Associate (1-3PQE, English-speaking role), Senior Projects/Projects Finance Lawyer (Korean,5+ PQE), Legal Knowledge Management To Drive Dealmaking, The Global Legal News You Need, When You Need It.