GRAND JURY INDICTS TWO TEENS ON CHARGES OF GANG ASSAULT IN THE BEATING OF A BRONX PRIEST

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a grand jury has indicted two teenagers on multiple counts of assault in the brutal beating of a Roman Catholic priest.

John Burgos, 15, of 681 Courtlandt Avenue, the Bronx and Othoniel Saez, 17, of 2200 Walton Avenue, the Bronx, were charged with Gang Assault in the 1st degree, Assault in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree in the May 2, 2005 attack that resulted in serious physical injury to the Reverend Jorge Fernandez. If convicted of the most serious charges of Gang Assault in the 1st degree or Assault in the 1st degree, Burgos, a juvenile offender, would face a maximum sentence of 3 1/3 to 10 years imprisonment; Saez, an adult, would face a maximum sentence of 5 to 25 years imprisonment.

Reverend Fernandez allegedly was accosted by Burgos, Saez and other young men, in the vicinity of Borough Hall Park near Third Avenue and East Tremont Avenue. The priest was returning to the Church of Our Savior from his morning jog when the teens allegedly punched and kicked him repeatedly in the face, head, and body. Reverend Fernandez was hospitalized with a broken jaw, which required surgery, and also was treated for substantial pain, swelling, bruising, and soreness.

A third defendant, Angel Cespedes, 16, is facing similar charges which are still pending before the grand jury.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adrienne Giunta.