NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say two men who mistook a man for a rival gang member have been convicted of stabbing him to death on a Brooklyn street.
Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson announced Miguel Juarez’ and Gilberto Serrano’s murder convictions Wednesday.
Prosecutors say the two encountered 20-year-old Abel Xochimitl (OH’-shee-mihl) as he left a bar in July 2012 and asked him, “Que barrio?” (kay BAH’-ree-oh) It translates as “what neighborhood,” but prosecutors say it also can mean “what gang.”
He answered: “Panchito. Brighton Beach.” Brighton Beach is a neighborhood.
Prosecutors say Xochimitl wasn’t a gang member.
Serrano’s lawyer, Ken Perry, says the defendants thought Xochimitl was in a gang known as Panchitos. Perry says Serrano didn’t intend to kill Xochimitl and plans to appeal.
Juarez’ attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message.
