#JusticeForJunior: Status Of Men Charged In Lesandro Guzman-Feliz's Murder
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – More than a year has passed since Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz was murdered, but his memory lives on.
The 15-year-old was dragged from a bodega and stabbed to death on June 20, 2018 in the Belmont section of the Bronx.
Prosecutors said his killers belonged to the Trinitarios gang and mistook Guzman-Feliz for a member of a rival faction.
Earlier this month, a jury convicted five of the 14 men charged in his murder.
Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, Elvin Garcia, Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Jose Muniz and Manuel Rivera were found guilty of first and second-degree murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Their sentencing was set for July 16 but later pushed back to Oct. 11.
A sixth man – Kevin Alvarez – pleaded guilty to manslaughter and conspiracy as part of a deal with the Bronx district attorney's office. He was a key witness for the prosecution during the more-than-month-long trial.
The eight remaining suspects – Danel Fernandez, Danilo Payamps Pacheco, Diego Suero, Frederick Then, Gabriel Ramirez Concepcion, Jose Tavarez, Luis Cabrera Santos and Ronald Ureña – are all awaiting trial. They're charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, conspiracy, gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
CONVICTED:
Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago
Elvin Garcia
Jonaiki Martinez Estrella
Jose Muniz
Manuel Rivera
Kevin Alvarez
AWAITING TRIAL:
Danel Fernandez
Danilo Payamps Pacheco
Diego Suero
Frederick Then
Gabriel Ramirez Concepcion
Jose Tavarez
Luis Cabrera Santos
Ronald Ureña
In the year since Guzman-Feliz's death, his supporters have rallied around the hashtag #JusticeForJunior.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched a $19 million package of anti-gang programs in his memory. The late teen also had a summer camp and street named after him.
"We should remember Junior not only for the tragic loss of his life in an unspeakable act of violence. We should remember him for the lives he has saved and the lives he will save because of the legacy he leaves behind," City Councilman Ritchie Torres said during February's street renaming.
Guzman-Feliz dreamed of becoming a detective and took part in the NYPD Youth Explorer Program, which has seen enrollment soar.
