Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the prison sentence of RAFAEL NEGRON, 32, to 18 years-to-life in state prison for the 2020 point-blank murder of 26-year-old Joseph Bernard Nunez-Perez. On August 16, 2024, a New York Supreme Court jury convicted NEGRON of one count of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
“The night of October 10, 2020, ended in tragedy for Joseph Bernard Nunez-Perez and his loved ones. While we have made strides in driving down shootings and homicides, there are far too many families who continue to face the devastating impact of gun violence. I am thankful to our team of prosecutors who worked to achieve a strong measure of accountability in this matter, sending a clear message that gun violence will never be tolerated in Manhattan,” said District Attorney Bragg.
As proven at trial, NEGRON was a drug dealer who knew Mr. Nunez-Perez from the neighborhood. On the evening of October 10, 2020, they had several verbal exchanges on the street. At approximately 10:50 p.m., NEGRON retrieved a semi-automatic weapon and approached Mr. Nunez-Perez from behind with another individual. A physical altercation ensued and NEGRON pistol-whipped the victim in the head. NEGRON started to walk away, and Mr. Nunez-Perez, who was unarmed, chased after NEGRON. While chasing after NEGRON, Mr. Nunez-Perez fell to the ground and was shot by NEGRON point-blank in the head while on his hands and knees.
NEGRON then dropped his weapon in a planter nearby and began to walk away from the area but was apprehended by the police seconds later. NEGRON first attempted to blame the shooting on another individual who was with him that evening, and then later tried to claim that the victim was the one who brought the pistol.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant D.A. Taylor Holland and Assistant D.A. Samantha Levitz, under the supervision of Harrison Schweiloch and Annie Siegal (Deputy Bureau Chiefs of Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 60), and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Assistant D.A. Peter Casolaro (Senior Trial Counsel), Assistant D.A. Bill Mahoney (Counsel to the Trial Division), Assistant D.A. Joel Seidemann (Senior Trial Counsel), and Assistant D.A. Emily Ching (Trial Bureau 60) provided invaluable assistance.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Kyle Mitchell, Sergeant Hansel Salcedo, Detective Matthew Vondiezelski, and Detective Jorge Pedroza.
Defendant information:
RAFAEL NEGRON
Bronx, New York
Convicted:
- Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony, two counts
Sentenced:
- 18 years-to-life
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