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Mother Of 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz Faces His Alleged Killers In Court

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - All 14 suspects in the vicious killing of 15-year-old Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz appeared in a Bronx courtroom Thursday.

It was the first time Junior's mother faced all of her son's alleged killers in court.

One by one the defendants, all in their 20s, were told the prosecution wants swabs from them for DNA testing. Leandra Feliz got emotional when the first defendant was called up, causing a court officer to remind the gallery against outbursts in court.

Prosecutors say the suspects are all alleged members of the Trinitarios street gang and are responsible for his gruesome death.

Back in June, police say Junior was dragged from a Belmont bodega and stabbed repeatedly in a case of mistaken identity.

Watch: Prosecutors Announce Indictments In "Junior" Guzman-Feliz

 

Those previously charged include Frederick Then, 20; Luis A. Cabrarasantos, 25; Kevin Alvarez, 19; Elvin Garcia, 23; Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, 24; Manuel Rivera, 18; Danel Fernandez, 21; Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, 24; Jose Muniz, 22; Jose Tavarez, 21; Danilo Payamps Pacheco, 21; Diego Suero, 29; Gabriel Ramirez Concepcion, 26; Luis Cabrera Santos, AKA Luis Rodriguez, 25; and Ronald Ureña, 29.

Most are charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree conspiracy, first-degree gang assault, second-degree gang assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Additionally, five of the suspects – Garcia, Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, Rivera and Muniz – are charged with first-degree murder, including torture.

Watch: Funeral for Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz

 

After she left the courtroom, Leandra's message was short and simple.

"Keep me in your prayers, and Justice for Junior," she said to a crowd of supporters.

There was a march from the Bronx County jail to the bodega where Junior was killed. The teen's death caught national attention after video was released showing him being dragged out of a Bronx bodega and stabbed with machetes. The #JusticeForJunior movement seeks to memorialize the teen and put a spotlight on gang violence.

All 14 defendants have pleaded not guilty. On Thursday, the judge indicated the trial may get underway as early as February.

For more coverage about the #JusticeForJunior case, click here.

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