Prosecution in Junior slay trial wraps up
The West Point cadet killed when a tactical vehicle overturned on a dirt road at the upstate military reservation was a star wrestler from
New Jersey, military officials confirmed Friday.
Christopher Morgan, 22, was a standout wrestler at West Orange High School before enrolling in the
U.S. Military Academy Highland Falls.
“He was on honor roll, he won multiple awards, he was studying law,” his uncle Courtney Morgan told the Daily News. “He was doing everything you’re supposed to do, and he was doing it well.
“CJ was absolutely a gentle giant.” in
Morgan graduated from the New Jersey school in 2015, and was a member of West Point’s class of 2020.
He finished in fifth place in the 182-pound class at the state Wrestling Championships in 2015 after a season that included a 30-1 record with 20 pins.
Morgan was a Law and Legal Studies major, and a recruited athlete who was a standout member of the Army Wrestling Team.
“We are devastated by the news of Chris’ passing. He was a talented, hardworking, and determined athlete who loved his sport,” said Army West Point wrestling coach Kevin Ward. “Chris had an infectious personality with a smile big enough to fill any room, and a heart big enough to love everyone around him. He made everyone around him better and he will be greatly missed.”
Morgan was killed when the tactical vehicle operated by two soldiers flipped over on a fire break road around 6:45 a.m. Thursday, West Point officials, said.
Others on the vehicle suffered non-serious injuries ranging from cuts and scrapes to one broken arm.
“I’m still in denial, I’m still in shock,” said Morgan’s devastated uncle. ” I have to remind myself that this isn’t a dream.”
The loaded tactical vehicle was headed to a land navigation site as part of standard summer cadet training, according to West Point superintendent, Gen. Darryl A. Williams.
The Corps of Cadets was expected to hold a vigil to honor Morgan Friday night. A memorial ceremony for the West Point community and private funeral service will be held at the academy next week.
“Cadet Morgan was a valued member of the Corps of Cadets and will be missed by all,” said Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, the academy’s superintendent. “The entire community is ensuring that our cadets are being cared for physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Lt. A bread knife, not a machete, delivered the death blow to a teen who was killed outside a Bronx bodega in a case of mistaken identity, a city medical examiner testified Friday.
Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz bled out from a wound in his throat, forensic pathologist Sophia Rodriguez, said from the witness stand in Bronx Supreme Court.
Rodriguez was the last witness called before prosecutors rested their case against five reputed Trinatarios gang members allegedly caught on camera running down, stabbing and beating Junior, 15, in and outside a Bathgate Ave. store June 20, 2018.
Junior, an aspiring cop, suffered a 41⁄2-inch-deep neck wound, over a dozen “superficial” punctures, blunt force trauma, scrapes and bruising, Rodriguez said.
“The injury to the right neck would not have been survivable for long,” Rodriguez said. “Mr. Guzman-Feliz actually bled to death.”
Video of the ruthless killing shown to jurors earlier in the trial depicts Jonaiki Martinez Estrella taking a knife to Junior’s neck during the final moments of the assault.
Lawyers for the other four defendants — Elvin Garcia, Manuel Rivera, Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago and Jose Muniz — have said their clients only pretended to inflict stab wounds.
Muniz, who was armed with a machete during the assault, according to CCTV, is charged with taking the weapon to Junior’s legs.
Muniz’s lawyer asked Rodriguez whether Junior’s injuries were consistent with assault by machete.
“No, not specifically a machete,” she said, explaining that Junior did not sustain any severe injuries on his legs.
“Did ... any of those superficial wounds contribute in any way to his death?” Rivera’s lawyer, asked.
“They did not,” she said. Cooperating witness Kevin Alvarez testified the Trinitarios were having trouble with a rival crew they thought Guzman-Feliz was part of.
All five defendants face life in prison if convicted.