6 suspects in bodega murder face Bronx judge

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - Six men faced a judge in New York City on the very day that the teenager they are accused of killing was laid to rest.

Police in New Jersey arrested the suspects in Paterson earlier this week. Authorities brought them back to New York to be charged in connection with the murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, 15, a member of the NYPD's Police Explorers program.

Jose Muniz, 21, Jose Tavarez, 21, Daniel Fernandez, 21, Manuel Rivera, 18, Antonio Hernandez-Santiago, 24, all of the Bronx, and Jonaiki Martinez-Estrella, 24, of Freeport, Long Island, were arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court Wednesday evening. Cops believe the men are members of a Dominican gang known as the Trinitarios, prosecutors said.

They are accused of being involved in attacking Guzman-Feliz on June 20 in the Bronx. Several men jumped him at a bodega, dragged him outside, and then stabbed and slashed him, police said. Bleeding from his neck, Guzman-Feliz made his way to nearby St. Barnabas Hospital where he collapsed and died.

Authorities charged all six men with second-degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon.

Muniz, Hernandez-Santiago, and Martinez-Estrella were also charged with first-degree murder, the NYPD said.

Rivera was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

Through their lawyers, they pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The NYPD has two other men in custody in the case.