2 Trinitarios gang leaders sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for 2018 murder of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz
NEW YORK -- There was justice for Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz on Friday, more than four years after he was stabbed to death at a Bronx bodega.
Diego Suero and Frederick Then, two gang leaders who were convicted of murder for ordering the killing, were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, CBS2's Elijah Westbrook reported.
Guzman-Feliz's mother, Leandra Feliz, walked into court with a group of family and loved ones shortly before the hearing started late Friday morning.
"My son was an innocent kid. And he was only 15 years old," Leandra Feliz said minutes after one of her son's killers was sentenced.
Guzman-Feliz was chased into a Bronx bodega, then dragged out and viciously stabbed to death by Trinitarios gang members on June 20, 2018. He was not the intended target.
"Just for it to be a mistake. It's not fair to have those kinds of people on the street, killing innocent," said Feliz.
In court, the judge allowed only still pictures of the sentencing hearing. Feliz made a statement begging the judge to give Suero and Then the maximum sentence.
Feliz said through an interpreter, "Junior was an innocent child. He was 15 just years old and he was not part of any gangs and did not walk the streets with bad intentions."
The men declined to speak.
Flashback: Leandra Feliz reacts to guilty verdict in her son's murder
"We follow the evidence wherever it leads, no matter who it helps or hurts. In this particular case there was a lot of information that we can garner. Some of it we were able to use in order to help solidify this conviction," said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.
The attack shocked the city and sparked protests, demanding "Justice for Junior." Feliz said her faith and support from the entire city fueled her to carry on.
"That's why we're getting justice, and thank God for everyone," Feliz said.
Guzman-Feliz aspired to become a police officer and was part of the NYPD's Explorers Program.
In total, 14 men were charged in his murder. The Bronx DA said six more defendants will be tried.