Freeport Men Sentenced to 20-life for 2007 Murder

After admitting to murder, judge gives Mendez and Murcia 20-life

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Jose Mendez 17, of Freeport, has been sentenced by Nassau County Judge William Donnino to serve 20 years to life in prison following his admission last month to taking part in the July 2007 murder of a 22-year-old Freeport man.  Mendez and Maynor Murcia, 26, also of Freeport, pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree last month.  Murcia was sentenced last week to serve 20 years to life in prison.

Rice said that Mendez and Murcia shot 22-year-old Miguel Adames on a Freeport street corner on the evening of July 15, 2007. Rice said that Adames was shot in the head before Mendez and Murcia continued to shoot the victim in the back while he was on the ground. Both Mendez and Murcia are believed to be MS-13 gang members.

Assistant District Attorney Martin Meaney of the DA’s County Court Trial Bureau is handling the case for the District Attorney’s Office.  Mendez is being represented by Michael DerGarabedian, Esq.  Murcia is being represented by Alfred Braverman, Esq.