[0:01]Stop! I'm sorry for what happened, your honor, but I can't do life in prison and I'm not a bad person, but I made mistakes. I'm not just some gangbanger that they trying to portray me as. Just stop! I made my ruling. Just stop! It was so very hard for me to tell the 5-year-old his dad will never come home. I don't even regret that shit. The only thing that I fucking regret is that I should kill more too. I wish I killed more of those motherfuckers. Our whole world was turned upside down from that point. You took it upon yourself to end my son's life. You changed our lives forever.
[0:39]This is Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, who is facing murder charges in New York City. On the night of June 20th, 2018, Estrella, along with Manuel Rivera, Elvin Garcia, Jose Muniz, and Antonio Santiago, brutally stabbed and killed 15-year-old Lesandro Guzman-Feliz. All five were part of a vicious Dominican gang called the Trinitarios. According to reports, Lesandro had gone to meet a new friend a few blocks away from his apartment in the Bronx, when four cars pulled up.
[1:28]Mistaking him for a rival gang member, the cars started chasing Lesandro, eventually cornering him to a nearby Bodega.
[1:43]CCTV footage from inside the shop shows a desperate Lesandro seeking refuge and trying to hide behind a counter.
[2:01]But he was spotted by one of the gang members. A scuffle ensued and Lesandro was dragged out of the Bodega.
[2:18]What happened next shocked the entire city of New York. Armed with large knives and machetes, the five took turns brutally stabbing the teenager.
[2:34]Then fled away in getaway cars.
[2:42]After the attack, a severely injured Lesandro managed to enter the shop, but was sent away. Outside and fading fast, he gestured towards onlookers to call 911. Then he started running towards Saint Barnabas Hospital, which was just one block away, before collapsing at the entrance.
[3:11]Passers-by desperately tried to save Lesandro. However, two police officers just stood by watching the scene. They were later investigated for failing to help. Just 20 minutes later, Lesandro passed away, as a result of a fatal stab wound to his neck. Police soon got hold of the CCTV footage and arrested the five suspects, charging them with first-degree murder. Police have arrested the five suspects accused in the murder of this teenager in the Bronx. At their trial, a sixth member of the Trinitarios gang, Kevin Alvarez, testified against the five murderers. Kevin Alvarez, he's testifying in court against five of his fellow alleged Trinitarios gang members. Alvarez, who had helped drag Lesandro out of the Bodega, identified the suspects in exchange for lesser time served for conspiracy charges. Eventually, the jury convicted the five gang members for the brutal murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz. At their sentencing, the killers showed no signs of remorse. Instead, they waved gang signs and shouted gang slogans. Jonaiki Estrella, who delivered the fatal blow, was sentenced to life without parole. Jose Muniz, Elvin Garcia, and Antonio Santiago each received 25 years to life, while Manuel Rivera was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison. Lesandro Guzman-Feliz lost his life for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But what happens when a popular music artist is killed in broad daylight? Like in the case of Jahseh Onfroy, a rapper popularly known as XXXTentacion, who was killed during a robbery in Florida. On June 18th, 2018, 20-year-old Onfroy was out shopping for a motorcycle with his step-uncle Leonard Kerr.
[5:00]Earlier that day, Onfroy withdrew about $50,000 from the bank to make his purchase. The young rapper was unaware he was being stalked by four men: Michael Boatwright, Trayvon Newsome, Dedrick Williams, and Robert Allen. Williams and Allen even followed Onfroy into a dealership to confirm that it was indeed the rapper.
[5:37]Then as he left the shop, Onfroy's car was intercepted by a black SUV.
[5:53]Armed with guns and faces covered with a mask, Boatwright and Newsome stepped out of the SUV and robbed Onfroy at gunpoint. A scuffle ensued and the two ended up fatally shooting the rapper, before grabbing his bag of cash and fleeing.
[6:12]A passer-by filmed the immediate aftermath of the attack and called 911. Another captured Onfroy's lifeless body in the driver's seat of his BMW. The tragic incident left the hip-hop industry in shock, with popular artists like Diplo and J Cole paying tribute to the teenage sensation. Shortly afterwards, the four were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery. You are charged with one count of murder in the first-degree. However, Robert Allen took a plea deal in exchange for his testimony in the trial of the other three, which began with the prosecution claiming that Onfroy's murder was pre-planned and efficient.
[6:57]That's more than enough time to formulate for the premeditated intent and the design to kill someone and the killing. Boatwright's lawyer suggested that Robert Allen, who was yet to testify against the three, would lie in court. Robert Allen is the only person that you will hear from that puts Michael Boatwright at Riva Motorsports on June 18th, 2018. Well let me be very clear, if Robert Allen testifies in this case, he will lie. Then, Williams' lawyer incredibly threw accusations at popular hip-hop artist Drake, arguing that the Grammy Award-winning rapper was to be blamed for Onfroy's death. Before X died he said, "If anybody kills me, it's Drake." And do you think that for one moment here today, days after the event, he's killed by two masked men, right? He came out on social media and said, guys before he died, "If anybody kills me, it's Drake." Do you think in that time span that they went in there and they addressed them, they talked to them? No. Do you think sitting here today years later, any detective has ever asked, you know, Drake or anybody like that, no. He also accused Robert Allen of getting paid by Drake. How much money in 2018 did you receive from either Drake or one of Drake's associates? I haven't met him. You never met Drake? No. Do you know who you know who he is, though, right? Yes. Okay. Finally, Newsome's lawyer appeared last, stating that no physical evidence linked his client to the crime. The evidence will not show that any firearms was ever recovered that could be matched or linked to Trayvon Newsome. The evidence will show no DNA whatsoever found on the body or Mr. Onfroy or on that car. However, he was wrong. The prosecution presented a boatload of evidence in court, including CCTV footage from the crime scene. But it was three pieces of damning evidence that settled the case. First was the testimony of Onfroy's step-uncle Leonard Kerr, who fled the scene of the shooting.
[9:09]He described what actually happened that day. The taller guy as I said, the taller guy went around the Justin's side and the shorter one come around to the door that I was, my door that I open and he go inside the car. And then I heard something like bang bang. How much time I don't know but I heard something big like explosion. Kerr also re-enacted the moment Onfroy was shot. You do not come out of the fucking car! And he was like with a gun. You do not come out of the fucking car! The shorter one was at the Justin side. The second crucial piece of evidence was pictures and videos captured the day of the shooting, showing the defendants posing and dancing with stolen money. It shows Williams fanning $100 bills and surrounded by money. And this video taken at 12:35 AM, this time Williams appears to be in a car also fanning $100 bills smiling and singing.
[10:06]And finally, the testimony of Robert Allen ultimately sealed the deal. As he was grabbing the bag, shots are fired. Who shoots the shots that are fired? Michael Boatwright. And who was he shooting? Triple X. Where does he shot him from, what side of car? Driving! Allen claimed that Newsome grabbed the bag of money, Boatwright shot Onfroy, and Williams was the getaway driver as he sat in the car. Unsurprisingly, the trio were convicted of all charges and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Michael Boatwright received an additional life sentence plus 30 years, as he was the one who pulled the trigger on Onfroy. As for Robert Allen, his plea deal meant a reduced sentence of 7 years in prison plus 20 years probation for second-degree murder. While XXXTentacion's promising life was cut short for a few thousand dollars. But what happens when an attempted robbery goes horribly wrong? Like in the case of Mical Thomas, who's facing homicide charges in Wisconsin.
[11:15]Reports suggest that in 2011, 16-year-old Thomas was driving around in a stolen minivan with Malik Merchant and Jimmy Scales, when they stopped at W. Lisbon Ave. and attempted to rob Sharon Staples. Thomas allegedly jumped out of the car and threatened Sharon to give up her purse. But when the 34-year-old resisted, Thomas fatally shot her. Sharon was 12 weeks pregnant at the time. Thomas was arrested, where he pled guilty to two counts of first-degree reckless homicide for killing Sharon and her unborn child. At his sentencing, Thomas was initially calm and silent, then suddenly, all hell broke loose.
[11:59]Don't do that to him! Sit down! Don't do that to him!
[12:12]As he was about to leave the courtroom, Thomas looked towards his family and made an attempt to move towards them. This prompted court deputies to tackle him to the ground, causing an outburst among those sitting in the gallery. Sit down! Don't do that to him!
[13:23]A sheriff took hold of the situation and calmed the irate family members down. Listen! All right! Please! No good is gonna be done by this courtroom being disrupted. Okay! What's gonna happen is, we are going to allow the other people that are in this courtroom to leave, okay! Eventually, the crowd started leaving.
[13:48]Oliver! No, Chuck!
[13:53]A deputy asked a guy named Chuck to wait, but Chuck was having none of it. Just wait, okay? I'm with my mama. Leave my fucking little brother alone. You are!
[14:38]Ultimately, Mical Thomas was sentenced to 35 years in prison. As for Malik Merchant, who police said acted as a lookout, he was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The getaway driver Jimmy Scales, who claimed to be a member of the street gang Disciples, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. While Mical Thomas showed great physical strength and defiance in court. But what happens when a gang member bursts into tears? Like in the case of Brandon Spencer, who's facing attempted murder charges in California. Police said that in 2012, 19-year-old Spencer was involved in a shootout at a Halloween party on the University of Southern California campus. He was convicted of shooting a rival gang member at a 2012 Halloween party on the USC Campus. Four people were wounded in the incident. Some students fled the scene, while others hid. Reportedly, Spencer also ran with them but was eventually captured by the LAPD. He was charged with four counts of attempted murder. During his trial, the prosecution argued that Spencer, a known gang member, fired into the crowd in retaliation against a rival gang member.
[15:54]However, Spencer maintained his innocence throughout the trial. I'm sorry for what happened, your honor, but I can't do life in prison and I'm not a bad person but I made mistakes, but I'm not just some gangbanger that they trying to portray me as. But the jury was having none of it. They found Spencer guilty of all charges. Then at his sentencing, as the judge read out his fate, Spencer completely lost it. The minimum period of parole eligibility is 15 years plus 25 years in accordance with pinnacle section 12022. He broke down and banged the table twice with his head before being held back by officers. Ultimately, Spencer was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the USC shootings. While Brandon Spencer had a total meltdown in court, how does it compare to a case that terrorized the whole country? Like in the case of David Parga, who's on trial for murdering a student in California. In 2006, 27-year-old Leland Washington, an African American, was reportedly asked to leave a Halloween party where most of the guests were Mexican gang members. Police said Washington came back to the party, which Pargas, a La Habra street gang member, felt was a sign of disrespect. The gangster then walked up to the college graduate and without provocation, shot him several times in the torso. Washington was rushed to UCI Medical Center, where he died soon after. Parga was arrested and charged with felony murder. He decided to represent himself in court and was eventually found guilty of second-degree murder. During sentencing, family members of Washington addressed their loved one's killer. His brother said Washington did not deserve to go this way. Those days that the grief is so much that I just kind of muddled through the day. You have to understand who he was, he was such a great person and the way that he died, the way that he died, he did not deserve that at all. While her sister spoke about the emptiness left behind by her brother's death. Halloween weekend will never be the same for us. My brother was murdered that weekend and it's ironic that we're here today for the sentencing for the person that murdered Leland Cleofus Washington. And finally, their mother said if given a chance, Washington would have been a great friend to his killer. And I think if Mr. Parga had ever known him, he couldn't have been anything but a friend to him. He couldn't have found any other way but to make him a friend. Parga was also given a chance to speak, where he displayed remorse for his actions and apologized to the victim's family. I know there is nothing I can do to bring your brother back, but I'm deeply sorry for what happened to him. To you specifically, I want to say sorry to what happened to your son. I know the pain you're feeling. My mom comes to see me and she cries because of what's happening to me and I could only imagine what you're going through without your son. However, the judge called Parga a coward for shooting the victim for no apparent reason, and ultimately sentenced him to 50 years to life in prison for the murder of Leland Washington. While David Parga was a small-time gang member at the bottom of the food chain, what happens when you have to kill to move up the ranks within a criminal gang?
[33:54]Like in the case of Victor Rodas, who's facing murder charges in Virginia. According to reports, on March 27, 2017, Rodas and four other members of the international criminal gang MS-13 kidnapped and brutally killed Raymond Wood. Police found the mutilated body of the 17-year-old in the woods with multiple stab wounds, just two hours away from his home in Bedford County. Investigation revealed that Rodas set up a fake drug deal with Wood, after which the victim was abducted, strangled, and stabbed 29 times. Rodas was charged with first-degree murder, robbery, and kidnapping. At his trial, the prosecutor said Rodas killed Wood as part of an initiation ritual to move up in hierarchy within MS-13. Raymond Wood had to die for several reasons. He had to die for MS-13, he had to die for the sellers. He had to die for his reputation in rank within that vile organization. The defense argued that Rodas was merely the getaway driver that day and had nothing to do with the stabbings. He had no idea what was going on, he was just told to get in the vehicle and and go on a ride. The trial hit an impass and it seemed Rodas would get away scott-free. Until police stumbled upon a crucial piece of evidence, the murder weapon. Lead investigator Jon Maddox testified that he saw a dragon's head shining light towards him at the murder scene. So I decided instead of walking back through the high grass, I would walk straight through the woods to my car. I walked about 20 yards and looked down because it was a shimmer of light that hit just right, caught my attention. I looked down on the ground and saw a dragon's head, a metal dragon's head on top of the ground. That dragon's head belonged to a knife that was used to kill Wood. The dragon's head was pulled out of a box and shown to the jury this afternoon. Maddox told the prosecution the blade alone was over 9 inches. With the discovery of new evidence, the jury eventually found Rodas guilty of all charges. Ultimately, Rodas was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder of Raymond Wood. While Victor Rodas's criminal ambitions resulted in a lengthy jail sentence, what happens when you go on a rampage just for fun? Like in the case of Noah Loepp-Hall, who's facing multiple charges including murder in Colorado. In August 2021, Loepp-Hall and four others, all between the ages of 18 and 21, reportedly went on a crime spree that left the state of Colorado in shock. Loepp-Hall, Seth LaRhode, Aiden Sides, Isaiah Freeman, and Samuel Fussell were all previously detained in a youth correctional facility in Golden, Colorado, where they met and allegedly planned the whole thing. The rampage started on August 15th, 2021. When the five suspects broke into a business and heavily damaged the premises. They then brutally assaulted a man who was trying to take his ex-wife home following a cancer diagnosis. He later testified in court, saying his ex-wife blamed herself till the day she died. Even till the day she died in a hospice, she looked over, there's a moment of clarity and apologized to me, "I'm sorry." She blamed herself. The more serious crimes came later, when a man was left for dead after being robbed and shot. Thomas Young, who was paralyzed from the waist down after the incident, spoke from his hospital bed. I went from being you know, a regular 30-year-old guy athletic, riding a bike everywhere. Um, and now I can't feel anything below my waist. However, what happens next was even more shocking. 18-year-old Jewish student, Shmuel Silverberg was leaving the Yeshiva Toras Chaim school in Denver, when the five intercepted him, chased him inside, and gunned him down. The most disturbing of all, the murder of an 18-year-old Jewish student, who was chased down inside his Yeshiva school before being shot repeatedly. The rampage ended when three of the five, including Loepp-Hall, were arrested. Police later apprehended the other two. Two and a half months later, police would arrest him and some of his alleged accomplices at this home after a one-night crime spree. Four of the five pleaded guilty to a variety of assault and burglary charges. Aiden Sides was sentenced to 41 and a half years in prison, Isaiah Freeman got 30 years. Samuel Fussell and Seth LaRhode each received prison sentences of 21 and a half years and 12 years respectively. As for Loepp-Hall, he additionally pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, and was sentenced to a total of 65 years in prison. While Schmuel Silverberg killer's showed no remorse, what happens when lawyers, witnesses, and even the judge go insane in the courtroom? Stop! Just stop! I made my ruling. Good, bad or indifferent to you. You're gonna win some, you're going to lose some. Okay, no you don't! No you don't! While Schmuel Silverberg's killers showed no remorse. Okay, no you don't! No you don't! Like in the case of Jeffery Williams, a famous rapper who's facing racketeering charges in Georgia. Better known by his stage name Young Thug, Williams is accused of being a founding member of the criminal gang Young Slime Life, or YSL. Police said Williams and YSL had previous ties with the infamous Bloods gang. In May 2022, Williams was arrested and charged with gang-related offenses and violating Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO Act. However, this is not the first time Williams crossed paths with the law. He was previously arrested in 2017 on drug-related charges.
[39:39]As police found contraband, guns, and drug money in his car. Now in court for his Rico trial, prosecutors used Williams' own song lyrics to suggest that he was a part of a gang. I never killed anybody but I got something to do with that body. He's not using gang colloquially. The evidence will show he's telling you they are a gang. But the defense argued that the lyrics were taken out of context, and Williams made gangster songs only in his studio. These are lyrics that rhyme. Those are taken out of context in that song, but they're lyrics. If we're going to criminalize lyrics, you will learn, we all should watch what we say. This is you will learn. Studio gangsters. They're in the studio. They're creating music for us to listen to. They also said prosecutors misunderstood William's stage name, and that Thug actually stood for "truly humble under God." It was his path that he could ever make it as a musical artist and help his family himself, and as many others out of this endless cycle of hopelessness. He would be truly humble under God, that's what Thug means.
[41:06]Prosecutors then introduced a picture that showed Williams making Bloods gang signs. Prosecution is targeting that's Jeffrey taking a selfie in the mirror and he has his hand up and the indictment that the prosecution had the grand jury return says he's holding up a blood sign and that furthers his conspiracy. They argued Williams only made a sign that denoted positivity. Blood sign is like this, it looks like a P. That is a P. Jeffrey's fingers are down. It means any circumstance you're in, if you think positively about something, you could make it through. You're pushing positivity. Williams' trial was also marred with interruptions, delays, and heated moments. This was mainly because Judge Ural Glanville, prosecutor Adriene Love, and defense attorney Brian Steel, were not always on the same page. I'm not going to do this anymore. I'm just not. We are starting right now. It's 1:20. So, then follow motion and get it before me and and we'll and we'll take it up. Both of you, both both of you all, both of you all have equally responsibility to do that. Oh, it's going to be inadmissible right now. You know, you all don't listen to the court and and it's going to get you all in a lot of hot water. You need to listen to me when I tell you something. And don't rely upon your own understanding. He also schooled defense attorney Brian Steel on how to properly handle evidence in court. Underneath the passenger seat on the floor, Mr. Steel! I need to teach you about handling weapons, please point the muzzle always downward no matter if it's unloaded, okay? I know it's unloaded, but yes, sir. You make everybody nervous, okay? Including Mr. Kerns, who you're pointing at. All right. While Judge Glanville seemed to get frustrated by the delay tactics used by the defense team. When you keep delaying, okay, and that's what that's what's happening to the court. You keep delaying and and elongating and and pushing out these particular our ability to to to make to to present a seamless case in front of the jury. You can imagine my frustration because all these little delays just elongate out the whole, the whole our presentation in front of the jury. That's for your benefit. Not for mine. While Judge Glanville seemed to get frustrated by the delay tactics used by the defense team. No, because that's not true, sir. And that's that's a misstatement and mischaracterization. You're telling me that I've already made up my mind at that point in time, it was all but a certain conclusion. It was not, sir. That's not the way that this court looks at it's role as the gatekeeper and as rules as a referee. I understand that you're offended. I am offended because because it's not true in terms of what you were given. He also schooled defense attorney Brian Steel on how to properly handle evidence in court. I'm going to tell you I think because no other time in this trial have you given an instruction to the jury before you found somebody expert to say this person's going to give expert and late testimony. Did you object at that point in time? Did you object at that point in time, sir?
[46:43]Your honor, I believe. Did you object at that point in time, sir? I'm asking you a question. Did you object at that point in time, saying, judge, "She hasn't been qualified as an expert as of yet. I don't think you should read that instruction as of yet." It would have been frivolous to say. But you didn't object, though, did you? And if that wasn't all, the defense then called out prosecutor Adriene Love for lying to the judge's face. But you don't do it by standing there three feet from you in your face and lying to the court. And that's what she did. And she knew what she was doing and it's not right. The trial was also filled with some bizarre and spectacular never-before-seen moments, like when someone from the gallery handed over Williams a bag of drugs in front of a dozen court officers.
[47:46]Or, when a juror got into trouble for recording courtroom proceedings. Do you recall this court giving you the ad nauseam admonitions about acceptable behavior? About having phones out? At the moment when we came in. Didn't I tell you to turn your phone off? It was I'm going to be truthfully and very honest, when it was a lot going on, we had just come from different. Answer my question first and then you can explain it. Do you recall us telling you to turn off your cellphones? Another juror took off to a vacation instead of attending jury duties. Juror was held in contempt and oddly punished with a 30-page essay on the importance of jury service. Ordinarily, Madam, I do find you in contempt, but here's what I'm going to do. What I think I'm going to do is, in order for you to satisfy your contempt, I'm going to commute the 20 days and require you to write a 30-page paper on the importance of jury service. Incredibly, a third juror was also held in contempt after he inquired to the media about the trial. Why did you think, why would you think this this would this would be okay for you to inquire about this? It was a dumb mistake on my part. I mean because that tells me you were listening on the media, or as which is what I told you not to do as well. He did receive a peculiar punishment. You're going to do 10 hours of community service, all right? Then, when we pick a jury in this case, you're going to come for the first five days of trial. The court was also the victim of a cyberattack, where all the screens were bombarded with naked Zoom calls, much to the amusement of everyone present. Looks like they got Zoom bombed, so this just popped up on everybody's screen on the television in the courtroom, and you know, his graphic lasted for several seconds before the judge said, you know, we've been hacked, and instructed the deputies to shut off all the, you know, all the TVs. The trial also saw its fair share of questionable witnesses. One of them erupted on the stand during cross-examination. I really don't understand what's going on. I don't remember. My head hurt. They keep asking me questions about this. Keep asking me questions about that, about 2013, I don't remember. He said his number was made public, and he and his family were being harassed. People calling my phone right now, threatening me, texting my phone. I've been I ain't had no sleep. I've been up all night since yesterday 7:00, from 7:00 yesterday to 6:00 this morning. Still getting calls. Still getting texts. Then he made the most shocking revelation. Can I get a water or something? I'm so high right now, y'all. I'm about to go to sleep on y'all. There was also a witness who seemed to have been forced to testify in court. When you testified yesterday, you were, you didn't want to be here. Yes. Witness claims of harassment by the District Attorney's office. And part of it is because of the interactions and your reaction yesterday was based on the interactions you had had not with Mr. Williams or anyone over here but with the District Attorney's office, isn't that true? Yes.
[50:55]Judge Glanville, finally fed up with all the delays and interruptions, addressed the court. You know, you all don't listen to the court, and it's going to get you all in a lot of hot water. You need to listen to me when I tell you something. And don't rely upon your own understanding.
[51:26]Yeah, well, that's my that's my call. So if you don't want your Saturday and Sunday sucked up, I think we need to work a little bit harder. Safe to say, the trial is still ongoing.
