Witnesses say these two police officers stood by watching the scene. THE BRONX He knew they had killed the wrong guy. 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. After the verdict, Mr. Muniz showed no remorse and shouted, Popote, hasta la muerte! slang for Trinitarios until death.. They pursued him in cars, mistaking the aspiring NYPD detective for a gangbanger because he supposedly resembled a known one. The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps, MACHETE MONSTERS GUILTY.. 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. "A bright, beloved, athletic, soon-to . Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts. Warning Graphic Video Below. Also consider other hobbies. 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.. 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. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was brutally attacked and slashed to death in June 2018 in a case of mistaken identity. 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. Following the lengthy opening statements from the prosecution and defense attorneys for the five suspected gang members, the first of 14 to stand trial, the first witness took the stand. This story has been shared 137,355 times. The OCME said Wednesday the teens death in the Belmont area of the Bronx was a stab wound to the neck, and classified the death as a homicide. Do not sell my information. The murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, known as Junior, drew outrage across New York City. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was murdered outside of a Bronx deli in 2019. "Justice for Junior" has become a rallying cry. 270p. Hundreds attended his funeral last summer. The ADAs argument also included graphic autopsy photos including the slit on Juniors neck the medical examiner says killed him. 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. When Junior ran, the group gave chase. (Jefferson Siegel/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS). Add AI Research And Catching Up With Your Law School Buds To The Career Growth List -- See Also, Reach out just to catch up. Friends and family told us that Junior wasnt in a gang and the police have no such indication, either. The murder was just as horrific. Dixon's closing arguments also included the presentation of autopsy photos showing the wound to Guzman-Feliz's neck which reportedly killed him. This Tool Can Help. 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. 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. 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. The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps,. 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. 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. Its horrific, defense attorney Kyle Watters said of his client, Estrella. We talked to police sources, family members and other witnesses. One made a gesture as if he were going to hit Lesandro and the teenager ran, the witnesses said. Recommended Stories Deadline. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz, 15, was dragged out of the Cruz and Chiky Grocery bodega at E. 183rd St. and Bathgate Ave in the Belmont neighborhood on Wednesday night. 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. . 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. 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. 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. 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. A group of gang members armed with machetes and knives. ", "It was a terrible year, it felt like 10 years. GRAPHIC: CCTV and bystanders filming with their phones captured the gruesome Bronx bodega machete stabbing murder of Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman by Trinitarios gang members. 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. 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. "Today's verdicts will not bring Junior back. Both times the worker refuses to help the young teen. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. I dont want to see it again. Several of the gang members got out of the cars and surrounded Lesandro, asking him questions. [Featured Image: Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz/Facebook], 6-Year-Old Girl, 2 Adults Critically Wounded by Gunmen Looking for the Little Girls Father, Juror: Alex Murdaugh Convinces Himself of His Own Lies, Detroit Man Charged With Killing Friends Tot Daughter, Lesandro Guzman-Feliz valiantly avoided multiple attempted stabbings. In a photo obtained by The Post, a smiling Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, 15, wears an NYPD Explorers jacket proudly as he looks at the camera. At least eight other men are on the lookout some, armed with knives. Go after Sunset, you know what you have to do, Suero reportedly told the men. Junior stumbles back into the bodega, leaving a trail of blood on the floor. The jury, comprised of 11 women and one man, reached the verdict Friday after going into deliberations Thursday. Junior's parents were not in court, having been warned the images would be shown. 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. Secure New Clients Using A Content Marketing Funnel, Seth Klarman Doesnt Care Whether J.K. Rowling Is Cancelled. The second day of trial in the killing of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was emotional and filled with graphic video and photos. 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. In a panic, he tries to hide behind the counter. He was walking toward Adams Place, a small street about five minutes away thats known for gang activity. 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. In opening statements, prosecutors described the teen's killing as a calculated and planned murder by the five suspects. 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. Its Wednesday, June 20. The defense attorney for the man who allegedly dealt that throat cut took offense at that. At least 10 people had been injured in June in a series of street battles. READ: #JusticeForJunior: A Group of Men Fatally Stabbed Bronx Teen With Machete. Closing arguments proved to be just as emotional, as some jury members shed tears. He did not act with the intent to kill.. The referrals are a nice bonus too, Get to figuring your way around AI sooner rather than later, Enjoy. 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. At around 11:30, Junior leaves, and two minutes later security cameras catch him on this corner passing near his home. WNBC reported that the grisly images brought some of the jurors to tears. The vicious murder in June of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz just blocks from his Bronx home drew outrage from across the city and beyond. But he acted with intent to harm. 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. Heres How To Get Yours Right. "If they continue the violence in the city, theyre going to get the same thing. 2023 Breaking Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. The indicted are due back in court Oct. 25. Crime Scene Unit Det. It also made his story easier to use as a rallying cry to target gangs that attract and control vulnerable teens like Manuel. 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.. On the night of June 20th , he was ordered by a leader nicknamed Psycho to find a Sunset (a rival gang member). Prosecutors showed jurors an autopsy photo showing the lethal wound to the neck of Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz. Registration or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Todays verdict fortifies the Bronx communitys stand against violence.. Fellow defendant Jose Muniz was heard saying "Trinitarios to the day I die" as he left the courtroom following the guilty verdicts. 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. 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. Our investigation retraces Juniors last steps and uncovers new details that may answer why he was targeted. Erica Byfield reports. Fourteen men have been criminally charged in connection with Guzman-Felizs slaying. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. We will never sell or share your information without your consent. A Trinitarios ringleader, Diego Suero, issued the order to his minions, who then mistook Guzman-Feliz for a rival when they stabbed him to death outside a bodega June 20, 2018, cooperating witness and gang member Michael Sosa Reyes, 20, told Bronx Supreme Court jurors. The defense also tried to discredit Guzman-Feliz alleging he was in a gang photo a notion a detective who took the stand denied. Five gangbangers are on trial for the murder of the 15-year-old in the tragic case of mistaken identity. Understanding Big Law: A Must-Read Guide To One Of The Most Challenging Workplaces In The World Is Now Available. 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. Its 11:39. He specializes, New surveillance footage shows the moments before and after. What Do Millennials Think Of Law Firm Life? . That night, Lesandro had left his home on Bathgate Avenue to lend a friend $5, his mother had said during an interview last year. 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. 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. Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, who went by the nickname Junior, was a member of the Police Department's Law Enforcement Explorers program before he was killed last year. (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. New surveillance footage shows the moments before and after LesandroJunior Guzman-Feliz was brutally jumped and stabbed to death. Content should be organized in different stages, from when potential clients search for initial information to eventually contacting your law firm. Both times the worker refuses to help the young teen. Closing arguments continue in the murder trial of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz. All of the men charged have pleaded not guilty. Junior then walks out of the bodega. 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. The ADA's argument also included graphic autopsy photos including the slit on Junior's neck the medical examiner says killed him. But the glee I saw in the eyes of spectators at the reading of straight convictions for Murder I was not founded. Surveillance cameras reportedly caught a group of men dragging Guzman-Feliz outside a Bronx bodega before attacking him. It brought cries for vengeance couched in the Justice for Junior slogan. ), It was shared millions of times on social media and in the general press. 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. Mr. Sueros trial is expected to start soon. Juniors parents were not in court, having been warned the images would be shown. Amazingly, a customer is seen purchasing an item over Juniors blood. We've received your submission. Junior begins to run and the cars give chase. According to police, the drivers spot Junior and taunt him. People visit murder site to mourn the death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz in Bronx in New York, United States on June 27, 2018. . It made the tragedy of his killing that much worse and convictions that much more guaranteed. Manuel Rivera came from the Dominican Republic (legally) at age 15 with his dad and two sisters. Join Nancy Grace and a team of world-class experts for the online course Justice Nation: Crime Stops Here. The New York City Police Foundation announced it planned to set up a scholarship in his name. She described, in heartbreaking detail, how Guzman-Feliz looked up at her after the attack and motioned her to call 911. They also argued their clients were pretending to stab Lesandro because gang leaders were watching the assault. His English was poor. Hes making more money from Hogwarts: Legacy than her anyway. Just after the stabbing death of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman Feliz last June 20, members of the Trinitarios were examining a photo of gang . Antonio Santiago is seen here from this other angle. In recent months, turf wars have spiked among rival Trinitario factions. Mr. Alvarez and Mr. Reyes described how their subsets of the Trinitarios terrorized rivals, including a Trinitarios splinter group called Sunset. "See what happens with those killers," said Leandra Feliz. Mr. Reyes said they falsely told the store owner that Lesandro had attacked his own grandmother. What could be put in place in their neighborhoods to substitute the pull of the gang? Mr. Alvarez testified for the prosecution in return for a lenient sentence. "I saw a smile on my mothers face really, really excited.". But some of his friends were, and he had been hanging out with them at Adams Place recently. WPIX reported that theyre charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and conspiracy. If they did not participate, the lawyers said, they would have been disciplined. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz, 15, was slashed in the neck with a machete at a bodega in the Bronx on June 19, 2018. WNBC reported that the . Police had seized the footage that night and it got leaked. One man, identified by prosecutors as Jose Tavarez, enters the bodega and spots Junior. Junior is on summer break from school. The mural outside of the bodega where Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was attacked bears his birth and death dates: 2002 and 2018. But its too late. Because he resisted their efforts to stab him does not diminish their intent.. Passersby try to help. Junior suffered multiple wounds to his face, back, chest, legs and hands. Then he walked toward Adams Place, where he sometimes met with friends. That isgonna stick with this jury for the rest of the weekend, he says. stop killing our brothersThe full story about 15-year old teen junior stabbed to death Justice for. 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Is that why Junior was targeted? Yes, he put the knife through his neck. The teen reportedly bled to death steps from the emergency room. Junior would go on to die outside of St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. He was then stabbed and hacked to death with machetes by several attackers after being mistakenly identified. 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 cars briefly stop at this intersection, and then turn left in the direction of Juniors path. Prosecutors say that Jonaiki Martinez gave the fatal stab, slashing Juniors neck. Manuel enjoyed the Trinitarios parties, the hookah, the beads, the hand signs, the comradery, and fact that they had his back. We want to know your views on law firm policies and culture. He leaves and immediately three other men enter. She replied that the wounds they spoke of were superficial and that the only wound that caused his death was the one to his neck. 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. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced the cause of death for slain teen Lesandro Guzman-Feliz. Dr. Rodriguez said its possible if pressure was applied to the wound and Junior was brought to the hospital earlier, he could have survived. 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. Instead of turning to police, he turned to the Trinitarios, who like him, shared a Dominican heritage. The night of the murder, my client, Manuel Rivera, wasnt carrying a machete; he wasnt a monster and he never intended to kill Junior.