Defense hammers key witness on role in 'Junior' death

Thursday marked a grueling day in court for a key witness in the Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz murder trial.

News 12 Staff

Jun 6, 2019, 9:17 PM

Updated 1,783 days ago

Share:

Thursday marked a grueling day in court for a key witness in the Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz murder trial, as the defense pounded the former gang member on his role in the Belmont teen's death during cross examination.
The cross examination comes as Junior's mother has agreed to watch the rest of the trial from a different courtroom. The decision was something that Leandra Feliz tells News 12 she was in agreement with in order to avoid a mistrial. Her outburst during the testimony of Michael "Sosa" Reyes on Tuesday drew a motion from the defense to have her watch the trial on TV from a different room.
The defense in the case hammered Reyes during cross examination, with attorney Kyle Watters questioning Reyes on his pursuit of Junior. Watters also pulled up Reyes' testimony from last June, when he told a grand jury that Junior replied to the Trinitatrios driving through his neighborhood with "Que lo siete," a Trini greeting.
Reyes also previously testified that Junior threw up a gang sign when he was first approached by the Trinitarios gang in his neighborhood -- but he now denies that he saw that.
Reyes addressed inconsistencies in his story by telling the jury, "I want you to understand that everything that I said mistakenly was because of everything going on. I was confused."
Reyes' face was caught on camera at the scene of Junior's stabbing. The district attorney offered to drop his case if he provides truthful testimony in this trial and in future proceedings.
Reyes also told the jury that he made an attempt to get the gang to stop their attack by telling them there were cameras in the bodega that Junior was dragged from.
Defenise lawyer Toni Messina pointed out that Reyes' case will be dismissed as long as he fulfills his part of his plea agreement. Reyes responded, "I will have the family of the victim searching me out to kill me."
Prosecutors will continue on redirect of Reyes on Friday, and the medical examiner is expected to testify after Reyes is done.


More from News 12
2:07
Two NYPD officers arrested and facing multiple charges of sexual assault

Two NYPD officers arrested and facing multiple charges of sexual assault

1:57
Security heightened at Bronx Home Depot following customer complaints of uncomfortable encounters

Security heightened at Bronx Home Depot following customer complaints of uncomfortable encounters

2:15
Scattered showers across Wednesday; colder weather arrives Thursday

Scattered showers across Wednesday; colder weather arrives Thursday

DA: 3 teens indicted for killing bystander, wounding 4 in subway shooting

DA: 3 teens indicted for killing bystander, wounding 4 in subway shooting

1:53
Bronx bookworms take part in writing workshop for World Book Day

Bronx bookworms take part in writing workshop for World Book Day

1:57
State taxi federation raises reward for information to help stop carjackings, robberies

State taxi federation raises reward for information to help stop carjackings, robberies

1:42
Irish consulate general joins BP Gibson for a Woodlawn walkthrough

Irish consulate general joins BP Gibson for a Woodlawn walkthrough

1:00
Fordham Road BID discusses local improvements made, offers a look toward the future

Fordham Road BID discusses local improvements made, offers a look toward the future

1:56
MTA meets with riders in Fordham to hear their concerns with current transit system

MTA meets with riders in Fordham to hear their concerns with current transit system

0:59
City now has power to padlock illegal cannabis stores

City now has power to padlock illegal cannabis stores

1:30
NYPD: Shooting suspect linked to death of 24-year-old in Melrose still on the loose

NYPD: Shooting suspect linked to death of 24-year-old in Melrose still on the loose

0:30
Bronx hip-hop star MC Sha-Rock, Bronx Historical Society offering $1,000 scholarship

Bronx hip-hop star MC Sha-Rock, Bronx Historical Society offering $1,000 scholarship

1:44
'I can sleep better.' Longwood resident thanks News 12 for report on Bruckner Expressway construction noise

'I can sleep better.' Longwood resident thanks News 12 for report on Bruckner Expressway construction noise

1:20
Police: $1,000 stolen from Bronx gas station at gunpoint; suspects at large

Police: $1,000 stolen from Bronx gas station at gunpoint; suspects at large

State police: Victim of I-684 car crash identified as convicted murderer in country illegally

State police: Victim of I-684 car crash identified as convicted murderer in country illegally

2:50
Residents in Morris Heights living in ‘uninhabitable’ conditions demand fair housing

Residents in Morris Heights living in ‘uninhabitable’ conditions demand fair housing

1:34
'We really want to find him.' Wakefield family searches for missing loved one

'We really want to find him.' Wakefield family searches for missing loved one

0:45
New York Botanical Garden celebrates Earth Day

New York Botanical Garden celebrates Earth Day

1:27
Scholar Athlete: Tiarra Jackson

Scholar Athlete: Tiarra Jackson

1:49
Spring break in the Bronx: Low-cost events and activities around the borough

Spring break in the Bronx: Low-cost events and activities around the borough