Last week a judge declared a mistrial after a jury became deadlocked in the trial of Joel Herrera, a Latin Kings gang member accused of murdering 20-year-old Glenn Wright in the Baruch Houses on the Lower East Side three years ago. The murder devastated many in Wright's East Harlem community and beyond—Herrera allegedly stabbed Wright to death because he believed he was another man who robbed a relative of a fellow gangster. Herrera was charged with second degree murder, manslaughter, and gang assault. more ›

The trial of Joel Herrera for the tragic mistaken-identity murder of Glenn Wright, 20, is now in the hands of a jury. On Friday, both the defense and the prosecution presented their closing arguments, after which the judge charged the jury with their duties and sequestered them in the jury room, where they had the opportunity to examine witness testimony and other evidence presented over the past week. more ›

The prosecution and the defense have rested their cases in the murder trial of Joel Herrera, the Lower East Side man accused of fatally stabbing Glenn Wright, 20, because he allegedly mistook Wright for someone else. Most of Wednesday was spent on a criminalist with the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, who testified that no blood had been found on a sample from the blade of a knife recovered near the scene of the crime. But both Herrera and Wright's DNA were found on blue jeans, a sneaker and a black t-shirt belonging to Herrera, who claims that he was running home because of a nosebleed when police stopped him that fateful evening back in September 2009. more ›

The young man on trial for fatally stabbing a stranger whom he mistook for someone else was splattered in blood when police apprehended him shortly after the murder, an officer testified yesterday. Joel Herrera, who is accused of fatally stabbing Glenn Wright because he thought Wright had stolen from his cousin, is currently on trial for murder in the second degree. Yesterday the officers who arrested him testified that Herrara claimed he just had a bloody nose when they caught him. more ›

Two and a half years after the murder of Glenn Wright by an alleged gang member, the trial finally got underway yesterday. As you may recall, Wright was 21-years-old when he was fatally stabbed in the neck at the Lower East Side Baruch Houses. He had stepped outside to get some fresh air and take a break from washing his grandmother's windows when a group of men approached him. Prosecutors say the gang was looking for revenge for an earlier attack, and his alleged killer, Joel Herrera, 20, told detectives he confused Wright with someone who assaulted one of his friends. more ›

Given the sometimes scurrilous nature of anonymous website commentary, it's often regrettable when the families of victims read blog posts about deceased loved ones. So we're relieved that the comments on Gothamist's coverage of the devastating mistaken-identity murder of 21-year-old Glen Wright have been heartfelt. Wright, beloved by his family and the community, was tragically slain Saturday by a gang of men at the Lower East Side's Baruch Houses, which Wright was visiting to help his grandmother. The funeral is Saturday morning (details), and those commenters who've expressed their condolences to Wright's family should know that one of Wright's sisters has, we believe, made this remark to you: "On behalf of the Glenn Wright family we just want you all to know we are aware of your concern and reading your messages. We appreciate everyone's support. Our brother was as phenomenal as described and he will be missed. We intend to keep his legacy alive and thriving through various humanitarian and community support efforts. At this time EHTP is designated as the official trustee and representatives on behalf of the 'Glenn Wright Fund.' Please direct all of your inquiries or contributions to them. Thank you from the entire family." more ›