The New York Post ran a front-page headline in bold caps, MACHETE MONSTERS GUILTY.. 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. Last Friday, five men were convicted of murder in the first degree for the killing of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman Feliz in June 2018. Wounds to his hands believed to be caused by a sharp object, possibly a knife, were considered to be defensive wounds where Junior put his hands up to protect his face. How do you protect your children from predators? They also face manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and weapons charges. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Mere days after the trial kicked off startling never-before-seen footage of the savage machete attack was presented by prosecutors. Meanwhile, the defense argued that testimony supports that the suspects didnt mean to kill Guzman-Feliz. Understanding Big Law: A Must-Read Guide To One Of The Most Challenging Workplaces In The World Is Now Available. Surveillance video shows Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz being dragged from the Cruz and Chiky grocery store in the Bronx on June 20, 2018. (Jefferson Siegel/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS). GRAPHIC: CCTV and bystanders filming with their phones captured the gruesome Bronx bodega machete stabbing murder of Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman by Trinitarios gang members. 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. 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. Mr. Alvarez testified that Lesandro was not in the photos. The family of Junior had mixed emotions after the verdicts were announced, but Guzman's brother said ultimately, "justice was served. Nine others charged in the killing are awaiting trial. Manuel Rivera is accused of repeatedly stabbing Junior. Passersby try to help. Toni Messina has tried over 100 cases and has been practicing criminal law and immigration since 1990. Nine other suspects are expected to stand trial on lesser charges in connection to the boys death later his year. 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. (No one claims responsibility.) Warning Graphic Video Below. 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He was picked on and one time, beaten up so badly his ribs were broken. Nothing can. Goldberg hammered the medical examiner to get his point across that his client did not cause any physical injury to Junior, because a machete would have resulted in decapitation or mutilation. Select from premium Lesandro of the highest quality. It also made his story easier to use as a rallying cry to target gangs that attract and control vulnerable teens like Manuel. Community member Elizabeth De Jesus likened the photo to a horror movie. [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. Some Work Things Are Optional. 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. He gave a coded gang response when asked a question by a Trinitarios gang member driving by. He was a skinny kid, just 120 pounds, 56 inches tall. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was brutally attacked and slashed to death in June 2018 in a case of mistaken identity. He specializes, New surveillance footage shows the moments before and after. He was then stabbed and hacked to death with machetes by several attackers after being mistakenly identified. 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.. 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. 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. 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. All five defendants were found guilty of murder in first and second degree, as well as conspiracy and gang assault charges. In total, more than a dozen suspects have been arrested in connection to the killing. 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. Anyone can read what you share. They attempted to cast blame on Mr. Martinez Estrella for Lesandros 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 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. I represented one of the Machete Monsters and I liked him. Is that why Junior was targeted? He only said that one word -- "water," she testified. Junior's parents were not in court, having been warned the images would be shown. 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. 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. That order came during a bloody feud within the Trinitarios that had pitted Sunset, which is based in Brooklyn, against Mr. Sueros two Bronx sets, the witnesses said. A street was named after Junior, a scholarship fund, a summer camp. Secure New Clients Using A Content Marketing Funnel, Seth Klarman Doesnt Care Whether J.K. Rowling Is Cancelled. Registration or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was murdered outside of a Bronx deli in 2019. 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. Brown said Janari became the 38th juvenile murdered in gun violence in Chicago in the first seven months of 2020. The New York City Police Foundation announced it planned to set up a scholarship in his name. The vicious murder in June of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz just blocks from his Bronx home drew outrage from across the city and beyond. Hes making more money from Hogwarts: Legacy than her anyway. A teenager hunted down and dragged from a New York City bodega, then swarmed by attackers outside. Todays verdict fortifies the Bronx communitys stand against violence.. 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. 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. (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. "Justice for Junior" has become a rallying cry. LexisNexis Brief Analysis produces powerful, near-instant legal argumentation insights using the power of AI. Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Photo Credit: Marisol Diaz-Gordon They're not gonna forget it. The friend says he told Junior not to come over because it was late. Then, Elvin Garcia, who police say is seen here wearing a mask. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. However, all 12 alleged gang members were indicted on second degree murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Alvarez, who testified last week as a cooperating witness, pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in a deal with Bronx prosecutors and is expected to serve no prison time. The teen reportedly bled to death steps from the emergency room. 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. 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. Recommended Stories Deadline. Junior rushes into this bodega just one block from his home.