On Friday, November 22, a known member of a criminal gang Latin Kings behind bars for the murder of a complete stranger in a street fight outside the bar.
Defendant Joshua Hernandez was taken out of court meeting in handcuffs after he pleaded not guilty in the attack last Sunday. Hernandez, who is being held on bail of 20 thousand dollars, may face charges in connection with the death of Jose Zambrano.
The suspect’s mother wept in the courtroom after he had taken the pledge. The stepfather of a man shouted to a reporter: «yo, yo, get outta here, bro!»
According to police and witnesses, 26-year-old Zambrano from Brooklyn died Thursday morning — four days after a head injury during a deadly night of clashes with Hernandez, who hit him on the metal gate and threw it on the ground.
Zambrano was sent home about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, November 17, from a small bar Mezcaleria La Milagrosa, when he was approached by a group of strangers and asked for a cigarette.
«But they didn’t need a cigarette, says a witness who refused to give his name. — They wanted a fight.»
When Zambrano said no, the company began to ridicule him. Then the bandits went around the block and ambushed him.
Police found Hernandez at a nearby restaurant Checkers just a few hours after the attack.
«It was attended by over 40 friends and relatives who came here every day to support and pay tribute to,» said his girlfriend Julie Piñero. «To say that he was loved, is to say nothing».
Relatives of Zambrano came to new York from Venezuela, Houston and Miami to visit his dying.
