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NEW YORK – Five young men were convicted of first degree murder on Friday in the murder of a teenager in a Bronx bodega, whose images were captured on a surveillance video and caused a public outcry.
The Bronx Criminal Court Jury delivered its verdict after the death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, 15, after less than two days of deliberation.
According to the authorities, Guzman-Feliz, nicknamed "Junior", was killed last June in a case of false identity by a group of 14 men in search of gangsters. He was followed into a bodega, dragged into the street and stabbed with knives and machetes.
A video of the attack showed a bread knife piercing his neck and carrying the fatal blow.
The five accused – Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Manuel Rivera, Elvin Garcia, Jose Muniz and Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago – are between 19 and 25 years old and would be members of the Trinitarios gang. They have also been convicted of gang aggression and criminal conspiracy and face life imprisonment on 16 July.
Nine other suspects are to be tried later.
Guzman-Feliz wanted to become a police officer and was a member of the NYPD Explorers program, which allows young men and women to pursue a career in law enforcement and criminal justice.
The surveillance footage seen on television sparked protests demanding "Justice for Junior" – words appearing on placards brandished by supporters of the teenage family Friday after reading the verdict.
"Junior has become the symbol of all the young people who have lost their lives because of the brutal gang violence," Bronx attorney Bronx later said. "Today's verdict reinforces the Bronx community's position against violence."
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