SALEM — Arraignments began on Friday for the six suspects who were indicted for murder in the drive-by shooting that left Jandriel Heredia, 21, of Revere and Abraham Diaz, 25, of Lynn dead, along with five others injured.
The shooting occurred in the early morning at 189 Essex St. in September 2023, and has since prompted a renewed sense of urgency surrounding gun violence in the city.
Justin Alba, 25, of Peabody; and Lynn residents Darwin Batista, 20; Yefferson Vallecillo Cambar, 22; Carlos Ramirez Corniel, 16; Leonardo Espinoza, 15; and Abel Severino Reyes, 21, were indicted with two counts of murder by a grand jury last month.
In addition, Batista, Alba, Severino Reyes, and Vellecillo Cambar, were also each charged with one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
In Essex County Superior Court on Friday, Batista pleaded not guilty on both murder charges and the five assault and battery charges. He was represented by Attorney Charles Henry Fasoldt, according to District Attorney Paul Tucker’s Office.
Leonardo Espinoza, who was charged as a youthful defendant, pleaded not guilty on both murder charges. Espinoza was represented by Attorney Victoria Kelleher, according to District Attorney Paul Tucker’s Office.
Batista and Espinoza were both ordered to be held without bail by the Hon. Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman and are scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial conference on Nov. 21.
The four other suspects are expected to be arraigned in Essex County Superior Court at a later date that is yet to be determined.
