On his way there, Junior was in touch with this friend, who lives on Adams Place and who, according to our reporting, is not in a gang, either. This Tool Can Help. Antonio Santiago is seen here from this other angle. 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. The men punched and kicked Lesandro before dragging him out. The ADA's argument also included graphic autopsy photos including the slit on Junior's neck the medical examiner says killed him. 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. 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. 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. In a panic, he tries to hide behind the counter. The convicted killers will be sentenced Tuesday, July 16. 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. 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. At 10:05 p.m., security footage shows Junior leaving home to meet his friend Jason Velez at this corner. We will never sell or share your information without your consent. Last Friday, five men were convicted of murder in the first degree for the killing of Lesandro Junior Guzman Feliz in June 2018. THE BRONX He knew they had killed the wrong guy. Richard Harbus "A Bronx jury found the two leaders guilty for their role in the murder, closing another chapter of. 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. Manuel Rivera is accused of repeatedly stabbing Junior. The second day of trial in the killing of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was emotional and filled with graphic video and photos. Our investigation retraces his last steps and reveals how a recent wave of violence took his life just two blocks from home. Join Nancy Grace and a team of world-class experts for the online course Justice Nation: Crime Stops Here. Registration or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Just two days before Junior was killed, a 14-year-old was seriously injured in this attack. I represented one of the Machete Monsters and I liked him. Witnesses say these two police officers stood by watching the scene. Todays verdict fortifies the Bronx communitys stand against violence.. Several of the gang members got out of the cars and surrounded Lesandro, asking him questions. The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps, MACHETE MONSTERS GUILTY.. 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. 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.. A warning: These next scenes are hard to watch, and weve obscured some graphic parts. At Least Your Colleague Spat Wasnt This Bad: Some things we just dont share with the class. Closing arguments proved to be just as emotional, as some jury members shed tears. 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. 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. She used her summation to show the jury the boys final moments repeatedly, slowing it down to show each defendants actions. Eight others are awaiting trial. They probablywon't forget itfor the rest of their lives.. He was depicted in murals and online with a halo and angel wings. Surveillance video shows Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz being dragged from the Cruz and Chiky grocery store in the Bronx on June 20, 2018. 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. It brought cries for vengeance couched in the Justice for Junior slogan. They carried weapons for two reasons for their own protection and to use them to hurt (not kill) a Sunset. Some Work Things Are Optional. 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.". They pursued him in cars, mistaking the aspiring NYPD detective for a gangbanger because he supposedly resembled a known one. And on the night before Juniors murder, he had witnessed another stabbing at Adams Place. Theodore Parisienne for The New York Times. Had Junior not been stabbed in the neck during the last seconds of the attack, he would have likely walked home barely injured except for abrasions to his body caused by being dragged out of the store and punched. 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. The defense will have a chance Monday to call witnesses to the stand if they chose. Juniors friend, a Trinitario, had been attacked by a rival faction and allegedly turned to Junior for help. Why do so many buy into a life that restricts their freedom, imposes beatings for disobeying gang rules, and calls for violence to others? The night of the murder, my client, Manuel Rivera, wasnt carrying a machete; he wasnt a monster and he never intended to kill Junior. His history was whitewashed. An 13th suspect has been confirmed arrested in Junior . Meanwhile, during closing arguments the defense told jurors that the prosecution had failed to prove the suspects wanted to kill Junior, arguing testimony from star witnesses showed the men intended to hurt Junior, not kill him.. Prosecutors rested their case today in the Junior murder trial, but not without a graphic and powerful finish. Instead, he said, he watched as other Trinitarios members dragged Junior outside and hacked him to death with machetes and knives. New surveillance footage shows the moments before and after LesandroJunior Guzman-Feliz was brutally jumped and stabbed to death. 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. Junior then comes back to the store bloodied. Police had seized the footage that night and it got leaked. 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. However, police have said the teens murder was a case of mistaken identity. A group of gang members armed with machetes and knives. 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 boy's murder trial Thursday,. You can follow her on Twitter:@tonitamess. Junior begins to run and the cars give chase. 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. 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. 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. It was a lawyers argument (as the judges law clerk put it) intellectual, nitpicky not visceral. 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. He was then stabbed and hacked to death with machetes by several attackers after being mistakenly identified. 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, A dozen alleged gang members were indicted July 18, 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, The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced the cause of death for slain teen Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, The OCME said Wednesday the Bronx teens June 20 death was a stab wound to the neck and classified the death as a homicide, Alleged gang members have been indicted on murder, manslaughter, conspiracy and other charges. At around 11:30, Junior leaves, and two minutes later security cameras catch him on this corner passing near his home. ", Junior came to symbolize all of the young people who have lost their lives to brutal gang violence, said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. Five gangbangers are on trial for the murder of the 15-year-old in the tragic case of mistaken identity. But he acted with intent to harm. Its alleged that defendant Jonaiki Martinez Estrella plunged the knife into Juniors neck near the end of the 20-second attack. The injured teen was seen stumbling inside the bodega before exiting and making a run for the hospital. Five more gang members pleaded guilty in the brutal machete stabbing death of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz inside a Bronx bodega in 2018. All of the men charged have pleaded not guilty. (No one claims responsibility.) After Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Fernandez pulled the boy outside, the others attacked. At least 10 people had been injured in June in a series of street battles. On Monday, City Council members Ritchie Torres, Vanessa Gibson, and Rafael Salamanca wrote a letter to Department of Consumer Affairs asking that the bodega be shut down. Except thats not what happened. The cars then split up and appear to surround him. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. During closing arguments, some jurors were seen crying as autopsy photos were displayed. Junior suffered multiple wounds to his face, back, chest, legs and hands. Manuel Rivera came from the Dominican Republic (legally) at age 15 with his dad and two sisters. Juniors parents were not in court, having been warned the images would be shown. WPIX reported that theyre charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and conspiracy. The dad struggled to make a living and Manuel struggled in school. Add AI Research And Catching Up With Your Law School Buds To The Career Growth List -- See Also, Reach out just to catch up. Junior rushes into this bodega just one block from his home. Mr. Alvarez testified for the prosecution in return for a lenient sentence. When the attackers walk in, the worker points out where Junior is hiding, and he gets dragged outof the store. 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. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes described how their subsets of the Trinitarios terrorized rivals, including a Trinitarios splinter group called Sunset. 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. 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 friend says he told Junior not to come over because it was late. Mr. Alvarez, Mr. Reyes and a third man went into the store and asked the owner and workers to let them take Lesandro. GRAPHIC: CCTV and bystanders filming with their phones captured the gruesome Bronx bodega machete stabbing murder of Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman by Trinitarios gang members. Junior stumbles back into the bodega, leaving a trail of blood on the floor. Frederick Then was arrested in 2018 in connection with Lesandros death. Our investigation retraces Juniors last steps and uncovers new details that may answer why he was targeted. Anyone can read what you share. 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. Instead of turning to police, he turned to the Trinitarios, who like him, shared a Dominican heritage. But I understand why the People adopted the Junior-as-saint story. 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. They hang out on a stoop close by, chatting and listening to hip-hop, according to Jason. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! But the glee I saw in the eyes of spectators at the reading of straight convictions for Murder I was not founded. READ: #JusticeForJunior: A Group of Men Fatally Stabbed Bronx Teen With Machete. How do you protect your children from predators? 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. 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. 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. According to police, the drivers spot Junior and taunt him. 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. In the video, we see the 15 . They are under investigation for failing to help. 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. 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. Although this position was strenuously argued by defense counsel, the jury ignored it. Junior was spotted walking late at night in the Bronx neighborhood frequented by the Sunsets. Select from premium Lesandro of the highest quality. 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. After the attack, the gang returned to Mr. Sueros home on Boston Road, Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes said. Lesandro, who had hidden behind the counter, pleaded with the men, saying he was not the person they were looking for. ), It was shared millions of times on social media and in the general press. That isgonna stick with this jury for the rest of the weekend, he says. 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. But a leading police theory is the attackers mistakenly believed Junior was in a rival gang. The mural outside of the bodega where Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was attacked bears his birth and death dates: 2002 and 2018. The New York City Police Foundation announced it planned to set up a scholarship in his name. 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. 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. If you have a machete, use the machete.. Warning Graphic Video Below. It also made his story easier to use as a rallying cry to target gangs that attract and control vulnerable teens like Manuel. Prosecutors previously said the teen succumbed to a neck wound caused by a 4-and-a-half inch knife that severed his jugular vein. Fourteen men have been criminally charged in connection with Guzman-Felizs slaying. We obtained footage from multiple security cameras and cellphones. Blood was splattered on the floor and counter of Cruz & Chiki Deli on Bathgate Ave and 183rd St., the store Junior was dragged from as he desperately sought refuge from his attackers, the detective said. Guzman-Feliz's mother, Leandra Feliz, wept and screamed at times during the emotional trial.. He leaves and immediately three other men enter. Henry also told of discovering a five-inch blade inside the passenger seat pocket of suspect Kevins Alvarezs 2003 gray Acura. Juniors parents, Leandra Feliz and Lisandro Guzman, were not present in the courtroom during the medical examiners testimony. Because he resisted their efforts to stab him does not diminish their intent.. Five other people have been arrested and accused of involvement in the crime. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was murdered outside of a Bronx deli in 2019. 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. WNBC reported that the . 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. On the night of June 20th , he was ordered by a leader nicknamed Psycho to find a Sunset (a rival gang member). dragged him from the store and stabbed him to death. The injured teen was seen stumbling inside the bodega before exiting and making a run for the hospital. 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. Amazingly, a customer is seen purchasing an item over Juniors blood. Content should be organized in different stages, from when potential clients search for initial information to eventually contacting your law firm. Junior then walks out of the bodega. This 15-year-old boy, moments before death, fought like hell to get away, said Dolan. (Obtained by NY Daily News). See our privacy policy. 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. ", If you have a gun, you shoot, he testified. Guzman-Feliz had been part of the NYPD's Explorers program, a group for youths interested in a law enforcement career. The referrals are a nice bonus too, Get to figuring your way around AI sooner rather than later, Enjoy. Officers were called to a . Guzman-Felizs memory has also been honored through the renaming of a street and a summer camp at a state park, as well as prompting the Safe Haven Bodega program in the city. 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. Erica Byfield reports. News and analysis from this company could be a game-changer for legal professionals working globally. Knitting, perhaps? Junior's parents were not in court, having been warned the images would be shown. Junior and the bodega owner appear to have an exchange with Kevin Alvarez before Junior is grabbed and beaten on the ground. He was a skinny kid, just 120 pounds, 56 inches tall. Passersby try to help. Five men approached, including Manuel, weapons in hand. Yes, he put the knife through his neck. Understanding Big Law: A Must-Read Guide To One Of The Most Challenging Workplaces In The World Is Now Available. Prosecutors introduced three clips of video. Is Your Firm Keeping Pace With The Advancements In eDiscovery? A street was named after Junior, a scholarship fund, a summer camp. 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. I didnt see the person who had just finished getting stabbed there, Mr. Alvarez said, choking back tears. was brutally jumped and stabbed to death. 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. 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? According to . 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. "A bright, beloved, athletic, soon-to . "I saw a smile on my mothers face really, really excited.". 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. "See what happens with those killers," said Leandra Feliz. However, all 12 alleged gang members were indicted on second degree murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon. . 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. At least eight other men are on the lookout some, armed with knives. There, leaders passed around cellphone pictures of various Sunset members and asked the returning soldiers to identify the person they stabbed. LexisNexis Brief Analysis produces powerful, near-instant legal argumentation insights using the power of AI. Dr. Rodriguez said its possible if pressure was applied to the wound and Junior was brought to the hospital earlier, he could have survived. They also argued their clients were pretending to stab Lesandro because gang leaders were watching the assault. Friends and family told us that Junior wasnt in a gang and the police have no such indication, either. Members of Los Sures took orders from a leader named Diego Suero, whom they called Santa Claus.. Ultimately, he was slashed in the neck and died after running to a hospital three blocks away. Dixon's closing arguments also included the presentation of autopsy photos showing the wound to Guzman-Feliz's neck which reportedly killed him. Forsyth County prosecutors rested their case Tuesday morning. Just after the stabbing death of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman Feliz last June 20, members of the Trinitarios were examining a photo of gang . That wound was inflicted by one defendant alone, Mr. Estrella. 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.