Justice for Junior ~ The Case of Mistaken Identity Conclusion

 

In the conclusion of this case, I am going to talk about the verdict, as there is not too much information about the trial. The case did take a while because it was a full year before there was a verdict. (June 14, 2019). 

After a trial by judge and jury, there were a total of five men who were sentenced...

Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, Manuel Rivera, Elvin Garcia, Jose Muniz and Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez. I think the jury got this right when they were found guilty of.

1. first degree murder

2. second degree murder

3. gang assault

4. conspiracy

The only positive I see in this sentencing, is with the jury agreeing they committed first degree murder; it was fully acknowledged that Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Felix had been tortured by the gang.

I know this case didn't really involve too much about Esaid Hoke, but because I did bring up his name; and that these two cases were connected. I'd like to also add the verdict on his assault as well.

In the case of the Trinitarios gang members trial for the brutal assault on a 14 year old Esaid Hoke, who nearly died on the median of a very busy parkway after being chased by men from the local public pool he was at...

Ramon Paulino, 21 years old, was convicted in the attack that resulted from 16 stab wounds, beatings, including a video showing Hoke being hit with a tree branch by Paulino himself. Paulino claimed that Esaid had allegedly went on social media and claimed to be part of the Grizzlies, a faction inside the notorious Bloods gang. This was disproved and dismissed as facts.

In July 2021, Ramon stood before the judge for his sentencing. He pleaded with the judge, saying he couldn't possibly spend 17 months away from his own two year old child. Thankfully the judge was not swayed at all by his pleas and chastised Paulino, saying how did he think Esaid Hoke's family and loved ones felt after what they did??? Only Silence after that!!!

Ramon Paulino was sentenced to 84 months in prison (or 7 years and 3 months, to be exact). The frustrating part about this is that there were several men beating him, and only one was convicted. This is very bothersome to me!!!

I would like to end this case, with us remembering both Esaid Hoke and Lesandro Guzman-Felix aka Junior. May Esaid, one day, find peace of mind and live the happy life he always deserved.

         RiP Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Felix (November 11, 2002 – June 20, 2018)

~Phoenix