Two Men Sentenced To 25 Years To Life For Bensonhurst Stabbing

The two men convicted of a fatal 2012 stabbing of an innocent man on 86th Street were sentenced yesterday to 25 years to life.

As we reported earlier this month:

Migel Juarex, 26, of New Utrecht Avenue and Gilberto Serrano, 25, of Queens approached Abel Xochimitl early in the morning of July 14, 2012, stabbing him to death outside of La Parranda bar at 2366 86th Street. The men believed Xochimitl to be a part of a rival gang, although investigators later found that he had no such ties.

According to testimony, the two men approached Xochimitl near Bay 35th Street and asked him “Que barrio?” The phrase literally means “What neighborhood?” but also means “What gang do you belong to?”

Xochimitl answered by saying “Panchito. Brighton Beach,” causing the defendents to attack him with a broken bottle and knife, stabbing him in the face, neck, chest and back. Xochimitl bled to death on the street.

Juarex and Serrano have each been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder at a trial in which they each had separate juries.