2 suspects in 'Junior' trial unable to appear in court Friday

The first week in the trial of Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz came to a halt Friday after two of the five people accused of murdering the Belmont teen were not able to make it to court.

News 12 Staff

May 10, 2019, 9:24 PM

Updated 1,818 days ago

Share:

The first week in the trial of Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz came to a halt Friday after two of the five people accused of murdering the Belmont teen were not able to make it to court.
The no-show comes one day after DNA expert testimony revealed blood stains in two apparent getaway cars contained the DNA of murder suspect Elvin Garcia.
Judge Robert Neary would not say which of the two defendants could not make it to court, but did say one was sick.
Detective Francis Orlando wheeled out a cart of what appeared to be bags of criminal evidence once court was adjourned Friday. Orlando took the stand after DNA expert Matthew Benintendo Thursday.
Defense attorney and legal expert Chris Carrion says he was baffled by Benintendo's testimony that Guzman-Feliz's clothes were never submitted for DNA testing.
"It's shocking because, as an investigator, I think the victim's clothing should be one of the first things you look at," says Carrion. "There's obviously going to be some of his DNA in a crime like this, you would assume that some of the suspects may have shed some skin cells, which would could provide DNA."
Based on evidence that has been seen so far, none of the defendants have DNA matches to criminal evidence besides Garcia, according to testimony.
During cross-examination, Garcia's lawyer raised the point that testing cannot determine when Garcia's blood was deposited in those vehicles, one of which also contained the blood of Guzman-Feliz.
Benintendo's testimony also pointed out that even the blades and knives submitted to the medical examiner showed too little DNA to tie to a suspect.
Orlando then testified that it did downpour shortly after Guzman-Feliz was killed.
Testimony will continue on Tuesday.


More from News 12
1:19
Council members making a push for rat birth control

Council members making a push for rat birth control

2:15
Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

Hazy and hot weather arrives Thursday before a weekend cooldown

1:43
NYPD: Multiple suspects wanted for string of gunpoint robberies across the Bronx, Manhattan

NYPD: Multiple suspects wanted for string of gunpoint robberies across the Bronx, Manhattan

1:30
82-unit affordable housing development coming to West Farms

82-unit affordable housing development coming to West Farms

1:47
RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

1:41
Bronx man in custody following death of his 79-year-old mother in Concourse Village apartment

Bronx man in custody following death of his 79-year-old mother in Concourse Village apartment

1:47
City officials, drivers weigh in on potential disappearance of parking spots in Mount Hope

City officials, drivers weigh in on potential disappearance of parking spots in Mount Hope

0:34
FBI arrests Brooklyn man in Mount Vernon robbery, homicide

FBI arrests Brooklyn man in Mount Vernon robbery, homicide

2:19
Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

2:23
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse, community advocates file over 150 lawsuits accusing staff at juvenile facilities

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse, community advocates file over 150 lawsuits accusing staff at juvenile facilities

1:33
NYPD: Man wanted for robbing Mott Haven deli at gunpoint

NYPD: Man wanted for robbing Mott Haven deli at gunpoint

1:57
Pelham Parkway dialysis center closing soon, leaving patients angered

Pelham Parkway dialysis center closing soon, leaving patients angered

2:32
Transportation Alternatives: 2024 was the deadliest start to a year since start of Vision Zero

Transportation Alternatives: 2024 was the deadliest start to a year since start of Vision Zero

1:36
Residents say they feel unsafe after bricks fell from their building

Residents say they feel unsafe after bricks fell from their building

1:28
Multiplex Cinema in Concourse Village set to close; BP Gibson says mall owners mull another theater

Multiplex Cinema in Concourse Village set to close; BP Gibson says mall owners mull another theater

1:13
Police: Wanted suspect linked to overnight shooting of teen in Claremont Park

Police: Wanted suspect linked to overnight shooting of teen in Claremont Park

0:21
Police: Newborn found dead in Melrose section of the Bronx

Police: Newborn found dead in Melrose section of the Bronx

1:51
Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

1:31
Bronx mother accused of killing 6-year-old daughter appears in court

Bronx mother accused of killing 6-year-old daughter appears in court

0:28
New NYC Public Schools course will teach students about the impacts of hate crimes

New NYC Public Schools course will teach students about the impacts of hate crimes