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What to Know
- The ultimate 5 defendants have been sentenced Friday within the deadly gang stabbing of a 15-year-old whose attackers mistook him for an underworld rival, a killing that unleashed outrage in New York and past
- Friday’s sentencing marked an finish to a slate of prosecutions within the June 2018 killing of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, who was referred to as “Junior.” In all, 13 folks have pleaded responsible or been convicted within the crime.
- An aspiring police officer, Guzman-Feliz was a member of the New York Police Division Explorers program, which introduces younger folks to careers in legislation enforcement
The ultimate 5 defendants have been sentenced Friday within the deadly gang stabbing of a 15-year-old whose attackers mistook him for an underworld rival, a killing that unleashed outrage in New York and past.
Friday’s sentencing marked an finish to a slate of prosecutions within the June 2018 killing of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, who was referred to as “Junior.” In all, 13 folks have pleaded responsible or been convicted within the crime.
Captured on video, the killing “left the Bronx community — and the world — horrified at such complete disregard for human life,” Bronx District Legal professional Darcel Clark stated in a press release.
Two gang leaders set the assault in movement by telling their underlings to go after members of one other subgroup of their gang, prosecutors stated. The 2 leaders have been convicted of homicide and sentenced final yr to 25 years to life behind bars.
Guzman-Feliz wasn’t affiliated with any gang, authorities stated. Nonetheless, gang members zeroed in on him.
The 5 who have been sentenced on Friday, plus a sixth who was sentenced Tuesday, dragged the youth out of a nook retailer the place he tried to cover. All six pleaded responsible to manslaughter and obtained jail phrases that fluctuate between 12 and 18 years.
5 different defendants attacked the sufferer with knives and a machete, prosecutors stated, citing trial proof. The 5 have been convicted of homicide and obtained at the least 23-year sentences; one was sentenced to life behind bars.
The crime triggered protests demanding “Justice for Junior.” 1000’s of individuals paid respects at his funeral.
An aspiring police officer, Guzman-Feliz was a member of the New York Police Division Explorers program, which introduces younger folks to careers in legislation enforcement. The New York Metropolis Police Basis established a school scholarship in his honor.