Final sentencing day for men convicted of killing Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz in the Bronx
NEW YORK -- Friday marked the last chapter in the long quest for justice for 15-year-old Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz.
The final five defendants were sentenced for their role in a crime that shocked the city, the 2018 gang assault homicide of an innocent teenager.
"I'm still waiting for divine justice, and divine justice has to come for them, too. Thank you," said mother Leandra Feliz.
She says her faith has kept her going for the last 1,668 days since the murder of her son in June, 2018.
Junior Guzman-Feliz, active in the NYPD Explorer program, was dragged from a Bronx bodega and viciously killed by members of the Trinitarios gang who mistook him for someone else.
Friday, there was a measure of closure, as the final five defendants were sentenced.
"This is the final page of the final chapter of a very long case," Judge Ralph Fabrizio said.
Fabrizio sentenced the men to a range of 12-18 years behind bars. All pleaded guilty last year to manslaughter for aiding five others who fatally attacked Junior with knives and machetes.
"These defendants chased Junior for blocks, in cars and on foot, and when he ran into a bodega.. they punched him, dragged him out and turned him over to the five other convicted defendants," said Bronx DA Darcel Clark.
As she did at earlier sentencings, Junior's mom addressed the defendants.
"When my son was young, he dreamed of becoming a cop to protect and defend the city. This dream was crushed by murderous gang members," she said.
One defendant, 33-year-old Ronald Urena, offered a self serving apology in Spanish.
"I also want to beg Junior's mother to forgive me, but I had little to do with what happened to him at the end," he said.
Fabrizio pointed out at the time of the crime, one defendant was applying for legal residency as a "law abiding citizen." Several of the defendants face deportation when their prison terms are complete.
A sixth suspect who pleaded to manslaughter was sentenced earlier this week. All told, 13 gang members are behind bars for their role in killing Junior Guzman.