BRONX MAN SENTENCED IN THE FATAL BEATING DEATH OF A THIRTY SEVEN YEAR OLD MAN

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that Jacob Reyes, 19, has been sentenced to a maximum term of 25 years imprisonment in the fatal beating of a thirty seven year old man.

A jury found Reyes, of 1069 Grand Avenue, guilty of one count of Manslaughter in the 1st degree for killing Washington "Daniel" Rojas in July 2003.
State Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus sentenced Reyes to the maximum term on the charge of Manslaughter in the 1st degree.

Co-defendants Luis Pinales, 22, of 595 Trinity Avenue, the Bronx, and Rafael Quezada, 24, of 1645 Grand Avenue, the Bronx, are currently in jail. Each defendant was found guilty of one count of Manslaughter in the 1st degree. Pinales was sentenced to a maximum term of 15 years imprisonment and Quezada was sentenced to a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment.

The deadly incident, according to testimony, began just after midnight on July 9, 2003, when an eyewitness observed Reyes, Pinales and Quezada, along with three other unapprehended individuals, pull Rojas by his feet, out of his building at 1667 Grand Avenue, into the court yard of 1667-1669 Grand Avenue. The eyewitness further testified that the defendants were seen punching, kicking, and banging the victim's head on the pavement. The beating continued as the defendants dragged Rojas out of the courtyard and onto Grand Avenue and 174th Street. Witness testimony stated that upon hearing the sirens approaching, the defendants ran away leaving Rojas mortally wounded. The defendants were apprehended on July 13, 2003, following a positive identification by the eyewitness.

These cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney's Suzanne Mc Elwreath and Adam Sheldon of the Trial Division.