Alleged murderer arraigned for Shepard Street stabbing

LYNN – A fight between two dozen teenagers Friday night at Connery Rink sparked the clash that left an 18-year-old father dead and his accused assailant held on $100,000 bail.
Bernardo Urena, 19, 134 Fayette St. No. 3, pleaded innocent to murder and assault and battery charges Monday in Lynn District Court. His attorney, Raymond Buso, said Urena admitted being involved in the Friday altercation at the Shepard Street rink but said there is “no forensic evidence,” or a murder weapon, tying Urena to Carmelo Sandoval’s death.
?All he knows is he is hanging out at the rink, starts to go outside and a group jumps him. He defends himself, leaves and has no knowledge of a stabbing,” Buso said.
Assistant District Attorney Christina Ronan said Urena, who was arrested in September, 2007 for carrying a large hunting knife, went to the rink to fight someone Sandoval knew. Sandoval’s sister, Natalie, said her brother was stabbed when attackers hiding in bushes outside the rink, jumped out and began slashing.
?Who can do something like that?”
Sandoval, 57 Kirtland St., Lynn, walked away from the attack, then fell to the ground. Ronan said friends helped him into a car and drove him to the hospital. They stopped outside 96 Franklin St. and police responded to find Sandoval lying on the backseat of the car, his white tank top “completely saturated in blood.”
The stabbing occurred yards away from the house where the only other murder to date this year occurred. Jose Ramos was shot in 176 Shepard St. on January 16. His murder remains under investigation.
Natalie Sandoval said her brother loved being the center of attention in social situations or playing basketball and football. A court record listed him as a student at the alternative high school but Sandoval’s sister said he was working to improve his life and the life of his 10-month-old daughter, Kelisyana.
?He was just starting his life,” she said, adding she does not think Sandoval knew Urena.
A woman who requested her name be withheld said her son knew Sandoval who she described “as a real peacemaker” committed to resolving problems between other teens.
Judge Albert Conlon ordered Urena to return to courtMay 12.