Bronx gang member resentenced for fatal stabbing of Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman Feliz.
A gang member convicted in connection with the murder of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman Feliz has been resentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The case, which received widespread media attention, marked a significant moment in the ongoing struggle against gang violence in New York City. Jonaiki Martinez-Estrella, 30, previously faced a first-degree murder conviction, but this was overturned by an appellate court in 2023. The court determined that the evidence presented did not sufficiently meet the stringent legal criteria for the more serious charge.
Despite his first-degree murder conviction being vacated, Martinez-Estrella remains guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy, and gang assault, which led to Friday’s resentencing at a Bronx Criminal Court. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark confirmed the newly imposed sentence, emphasizing that accountability has been pursued for all individuals involved in the tragic events of June 20, 2018, when Guzman Feliz was brutally killed.
The murder occurred when members of the Trinitarios gang mistakenly identified Guzman Feliz as a rival gang member, targeting him in a violent attack. Reports indicate that the assailants chased the teenager to a grocery store located on E. 183rd Street near Bathgate Avenue in Belmont, where he was forcibly pulled from the store and fatally stabbed with knives and a machete. Court documents reveal that Martinez-Estrella was captured on surveillance footage holding Guzman Feliz by the sweatshirt before stabbing him viciously in the neck, resulting in a deep injury that caused his death.
In that horrific incident, the nature of the attack drew public outrage and led to a significant outcry regarding gang-related violence in the city. In total, 13 other defendants have been convicted and sentenced in relation to Guzman Feliz’s murder, showcasing the legal system’s response to the brutality of gang warfare.
Martinez-Estrella’s case underscores the complexities of prosecuting violent crimes, particularly when it involves young victims and gang dynamics. In previous statements, he denied responsibility for Guzman Feliz’s death, claiming he was not present at the scene and casting doubt on the evidence presented against him. In any case, the resentencing reinforces the commitment to seek justice for victims of gang violence, while society grapples with the larger implications of gang affiliation and its impact on community safety.
