#JusticeForJunior: Trinitarios Gang Members Get Lengthy Prison Sentences In Teen's Murder
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – It was an emotional day in court Friday for a Bronx family who say they got justice for Junior.
Five Trinitarios gang members were sentenced in for their roles in the brutal murder of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz.
The Bronx teen was dragged from a bodega and stabbed to death in June 2018. Investigators called it a case of mistaken identity.
Web Extra: Mother Of 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz Speaks After Sentencing
Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Jose Muniz, Manuel Rivera, Antonio Rodriguez, Hernandez Santiago and Elvin Garcia got lengthy prison terms for killing of the 15-year-old.
Estrella was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for delivering the fatal blow in the stabbing murder.
Three others got 25 years to life. The youngest, Rivera, got 23 years to life.
"They got what they deserved," said Junior's mother Leandra Feliz.
During the sentencing, Hernandez Santiago's mother shouted out in the courtroom that her son did not kill Junior. She was escorted out continuing to yell.
Junior's mother said all the gang members who were involved in hunting down her son are guilty.
"My son's not going to come back. I'm not going to have my son back anymore. I do not accept any apologies because the only thing I want is my son back. That's it. That's the only thing I want," Leandra Feliz said after the sentencing.
"They all killed him because they all were together. They plotted to go outside to kill innocent people, and my son is the dead one. I'm never gonna have my son back. They got what they deserved. They got what they deserved," she added.
Video of Lesandro-Feliz's deadly caught-on-camera stabbing on the sidewalk outside a bodega galvanized the city.
"We all won, because we all became part of this case," Junior's brother Manny Ortiz said. "So, I really appreciate, it as a brother. And I hope this scenario leaves a message to these young guys that they are being part of a gang member. Take this example. You do not want this for yourself or for the rest of your family. Now they're going to die in prison."
MORE: Status Of Men Charged In Lesandro Guzman-Feliz's Murder
As he handed down the sentences, the judge called the five cowards and said they disgraced their families.
Eight other defendants are awaiting trial in the case.
The victim's family and supporters demand justice for Junior say they will be back for those court dates.
While some are still awaiting trial, the first group was convicted in June of first degree murder, second degree murder, second degree gang assault and second degree conspiracy.
The five men were originally set to be sentenced on July 16, but the hearing was pushed back three separate times.
His mother is dedicating herself to outreach and making sure there is a legacy of nonviolence in her youngest son's name.
The trial for the other defendants is expected to begin early next year.
