The New York State appeals court overturned the first-degree murder conviction against Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, a member of the Trinitarios gang, who dealt the fatal machete blow that killed 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz in 2018.
Martinez Estrella was sentenced to life in prison without parole on the overturned charge. The appellate court ordered Martinez Estrella be re-sentenced on the lesser second-degree murder conviction, for which he faces up to 25 years to life behind bars.
The machete and knife killing in 2018 was caught on camera, clearly depicting Martinez Estrella delivering the fatal slash to Guzman-Feliz’s neck.
The appellate judges found that prosecutors failed to prove Martinez Estrella inflicted torture on the victim within the meaning of the statute in two respects.
The prosecutors did not prove that Martinez Estrella engaged in a “course of conduct” meant to torture Guzman-Feliz and failed to prove that he “relished” or took pleasure in the murder.
Martinez Estrella was among several Trinitarios who dragged Guzman-Feliz out of a Bronx bodega and stabbed him outside on the sidewalk, falsely believing the teen was part of a rival gang.
Martinez Estrella and four others were convicted for stabbing Guzman-Feliz to death in 2018. Martinez Estrella’s lawyer, Steven Feinman, said that first-degree murder charges are normally reserved for cop killings and acts of terrorism.
For first-degree murder charges to be applied outside those situations, prosecutors must prove the additional elements that the perpetrator carried out a “course of conduct” with the intention of torturing the victim – meaning they got pleasure from the act, the lawyer said.
Martinez Estrella’s case must go back to the lower court so he can be re-sentenced for the remaining convictions on second-degree murder, gang assault, and conspiracy. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office did not respond to a request for comment.
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