Teen boy charged with murder of gay man ‘beaten to death’ in front of his husband on Christmas Eve
Crime Stoppers (CBS New York)
A third teenage boy has been arrested over the death of a man who was fatally attacked in front of his husband in New York City on Christmas Eve.
A 14-year-old and a 15-year-old boy – both charged as minors – are facing face murder charges alongside 18-year-old Abu Conteh over the killing of Juan Fresnada on December 24.
Fresnada, 60, was killed while defending his husband Byron Caceres from a gang as they left a restaurant in the Bronx, police said.
Disturbing Christmas Eve attack saw Juan Fresnada beaten to death.
In disturbing video footage released by police, Fresnada can be seen being violently thrown to the ground where he was stamped on repeatedly.
Attackers also smashed a rubbish bin over his head during the 15-minute ordeal.
The gang then fled – after taking just $1 from the couple.
The horrifying attack took place in New York City on Christmas Eve.
Juan Fresnada was hospitalised with a brain injury and spent three days on a respirator, before he died on December 27.
Conteh and the unnamed 14 and 15-year-olds both face charges of gang assault and second-degree murder.
Speaking to the New York Daily News, Conteh denied taking part in the attack. He said: “I’m scared I’m going to get like a life sentence. I didn’t even touch that man.”
Victim tried to defend his husband.
The horrifying attack has left Caceres without his husband and left the local LGBT+ community reeling.
Fresnada’s husband Byron Caceres paid tribute to his bravery.
He told the Daily News: “My husband tried to defend me. The guy had his fist ready like he was ready to attack me.
“My husband said, ‘Don’t you get close to him.’ They were beating him for 10 or 15 minutes. I went back and found him on the floor.”
Caceres told the outlet he does not believe the attack was a hate crime, and did not hear the attackers use any homophobic slurs.
No hate crime charges have been filed in the case.
