New York City police have announced the arrest of a third suspect connected with the murder of Juan Fresnada, a 60-year-old man assaulted while walking with his partner on Christmas Eve.
Law enforcement officials have not released the name of the suspect, who is said to be only 14 years of age. His marks the third arrest following that of 18-year old Abu Conteh, as well as another, anonymous 15-year-old.
Fresnada and his longtime boyfriend, Byron Caceres, exited a McDonalds in the Bronx on Christmas Eve, when three men, described as teenagers by Gay City News, attacked them in a robbery attempt. When Fresnada refused to give in, the three attacked him, punching and kicking him to the ground. They then hit him with a steel garbage can before making off with only $1. Fresnada died of his injuries three days later.
Related: Police arrest suspect who allegedly murdered a gay man for $1
Police have not clarified if they still believe other suspects remain at large; early reports suggested five suspects in connection with the beating. While all three will face murder charges, it also remains unclear if prosecutors will seek to try the two minors as adults.
Though the victims, in this case, are gay men, police have not leveled any hate crime charges, a choice backed by Caceres, who reported that the men did not use any homophobic language in the attack.
Rock-N-RollHS
14 and 15 year-old “children” (as so many refer to anyone under 18 when it comes to sex) attacking two gay men! How can such innocent babies be capable of such masculine aggression. Surely the gay men must have hit on them! Poor innocent boys. Maybe these poor children know the 13 and 14 year old boys who murdered that white Barnard girl, who I’m also sure was doing something to turn such innocent children against her.
startenout
Well no one referred to them as children other than you, so I guess…? Minors? Yes. Teenagers? Yes. No one called them babies or just kids. And the article mentioned that there’s no word yet on whether they will he tried as adult, but it’s possible.
Working with 11-14 year olds on a daily basis, I can tell you that mob mentality and brutality can effect the underdeveloped minds of kids and teens just as much as it does grown adults, so yes I do think they should be held responsible as adults for their adult actions against these men.
truckproductions
Clearly a TROLL.. Go back to your crap Russian of African country you fool
dmanhart
Dollars to donuts, they were black kids living in poverty, with no values of right and wrong.
White kids, Asians, latinos, etc, do not commit these savage attacks.
It is cultural.
Chris
You know, if a “minor” commits an adult crime, especially something like murder, he does not deserve anonymity. He committed an adult crime, he knew what he was doing and should be treated accordingly. Maybe not put into an adult prison until he’s 18, but his name shouldn’t be hidden and he should tried as an adult.
startenout
Under the law, they do, and depending upon the severity of the crime, prosecutors can choose to try them as adults in which case a conviction should rightfully send them to an adult prison.
Joshua333
Are these Minors Closeted and have parents who pushed their beliefs harshly onto them or do they have other issues that will most-likely come out by the end of the court case?
startenout
According to the police and the victim, this probably is not a hate crime, so why would you assume that all muggers are gay??
iminheatlikeacat
The dudes killed the guy and took off with one single dollar from him. I don’t think this is some kind of internalised homophobia, more like some cheap robbery.
Btw, why shouldn’t minors that have been confirmed as committed a crime, be named? Old enough to dish the pain, old enough to share the name. Why should murderers have their name protected? Yes, they are children but they are also murderers. One does not negate the other if a child commits a murder.
Beanie16
They should be tried as adults. Teenagers are exposed to violence on their video games, in the music and social media. What kind of parents do these little pieces of shit have that they are put on the streets this late? Prosecute the parents for negligence! There needs to be an example made if these punks, give them life in prison. No letting them sit in a kid’s prison until they are 18, where they only become worse than what they are now. Send them away for life!!!
startenout
Studies have shown that violent media does not correlate to a rise in violent behavior, so we need to seek out other underlying causes. It could be a lack of parental involvement if they are working multiple jobs to afford a NYC lifestyle or if there’s a single family home; it could be a functional mental disorder; it could be a symptom of a society less interested with their fellow man than they are with likes and hits on social media to give them an endorphin boost.
Either way, these teens should be tried as adults for the brutality of their crime.
sonic_source
14 year olds today are not the same as 14 year olds 20-30 years ago. They committed an adult crime and knew exactly what they were doing; they should be tried–and sentenced–as adults.
startenout
Agreed!
GoalieHockeyJohn
I’m not that familiar with the story, but I don’t see any message about what the boyfriend was doing while his partner was being beaten up. Did he intervene? Did he run? Did he alert authorities? I would like to know what his reaction was to this horrendous attack.
truckproductions
You what?? why?? are u suggesting it’s his fault his partner died? you are disgusting
okiloki
There was an earlier article that the older man who died told his partner to run so he ran away. But he couldn’t call the police because he didn’t have a phone. Eventually the police were notified. The younger guy was in his late 20s and the elder gentleman was in his mid 50s so I do think he should have done more to help his partner tbh.
Vince
Good questions. So the twenty something high tails it out of there to leave his BF to his fate with the little shits. Some boyfriend. No way in hell I’d leave my partner to that fate. I’d make sure their thuggery came at a price.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Those are sub human savages. They attack in a pack. Won’t say like animals, because that would be an insult to animals. When you can brutally attack a man on the ground without any hesitation you have served notice upon Society you are no longer fit to live among us.
we put down rabid dogs because they are determined to be incorrigible and unable to change same with sub-human savage creatures like these smcubags. these creatures have no redeeming value and will never contribute anything positive to society, instead they will be a drain on society and should be put to death without hesitation. Plain and simple
3 hours ago Reply
Prax07
I don’t care how old these murderers are, 14 or 40, they All should be given the death penalty. They took a life for no reason, they have given up their right live. I Really think we need to go back to the executions of yesteryear. Public hanging and death by firing squad should be brought back and used for these types of murderers.
Vince
That and go after the parents for the civil costs. Make them pay for their little monsters handy work.
iminheatlikeacat
Vince, that’s just silly. Go after the parents…why? Do you know they have parents? What if the parents have learning difficulties? What if the parents are the most upstanding members of the community that can’t control their sons? What if the parents gave them up at 6 months old and they have been in the care system since? Do you suggest suing the government? What if they have recently been adopted, which set of parents do you go after then? There’s a biblical quote about the sins of the father. I think the sins of the children is equally applicable.
iminheatlikeacat
Why shouldn’t minors that have been confirmed as committed a crime, be named? Old enough to dish the pain, old enough to share the name. Why should murderers have their name protected? Yes, they are children but they are also murderers. One does not negate the other if a child happens to commit a murder.
It took place in America though. If there’s one more thing that country likes more than fatty food, it’s to lock people up, so at least (hopefully) they will get jail time, not like in the UK
Vince
They should be charged as adults. This isn’t just some accident. They showed no mercy to the victim. Just savagely murdered him.
Aires the Ram
I agree with those posting that they should be tried as adults, and given the death penalty. I agree that the parent(s) should be put on trial in civil court. But, what I don’t agree with, is those on here who whine and piss about the “why” they did it, “what is their motive?” and all such similar horses&*i^t.
These punks/thugs killed a man, and they deserve to be tried, convicted, and put to death. Who gives a damn why they did it? An innocent man is dead for christ sakes.