Some crimes are just beyond comprehension.
The teenagers accused of brutally attacking and killing 14-year-old Angel Mendoza recently haven’t benefited from New York’s controversial “age up” law, according to experts.
This 2019 law, which shifted adult criminal liability for serious crimes from ages 16 to 18, doesn’t apply to the murder charges against the four suspects.
“When it comes to serious violent crimes, like murder, they will still face serious charges,” noted defense attorney and former prosecutor Mark Bedellaux.
Among the suspects, Andrew Ansa, 18, and Jordan Williams, 18, will be treated as adults and face trial in Manhattan Crown Court.
The other two, aged 15 and 16, are charged with murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. Because of their age, they will likely go to the “youth part” of the same court, as Bedell explained.
The Youth section includes judges who specialize in handling young offenders and provides additional support services.
Still, the boys may encounter lenient guidelines often reserved for less serious crimes, even though the charges are quite severe. That said, Bedell suggested their youth could work in their favor.
“Judges tend to consider age and circumstances when weighing cases, especially comparing a 16-year-old with an older, more hardened criminal,” he stated. “But ultimately, it’s about murder—the sentence can be severe.”
A number of New York State legislators and law enforcement officials are pushing for adjustments to address rising juvenile crime linked to the current age laws.
Conversely, advocates argue that these age provisions help young offenders by offering tools to prevent recidivism.
Leandra Feliz, whose 15-year-old son Guzman was killed in 2018 by a gang, expressed concerns that raising the age limit would only favor gang members.
Ferris commented that gang members, despite potential age differences, should all be held to the same standards.
“Everyone involved should face equal consequences,” she argued.
