Lynn Essex Street shooting prosecution begins

SALEM — Arraignments began Friday against the six suspects charged with murder in the drive-by shooting that left Jandriel Heredia, 21, of Revere, and Abraham Diaz, 25, of Lynn, dead and five others injured.

The shooting occurred early in the morning at 189 Essex St. in September 2023 and has since renewed a sense of urgency surrounding gun violence in the city.

Justin Alba, 25, of Peabody; and Lynn resident Darwin Batista, 20; Yefferson Vallecillo Cambar, 22; Carlos Ramirez Corniel, 16; Leonardo Espinoza, 15; and Abel Severino Reyes, 21, were indicted by a grand jury last month on two counts of murder.

In addition, the six people were each charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of aggravated assault and four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

On Friday, Batista entered a plea in Essex County Superior Court not guilty of murder and five charges of assault and battery. According to District Attorney Paul Tucker’s office, he was represented by attorney Charles Henry Fasoldt.

Leonardo Espinoza, who was charged as a juvenile defendant, pleaded not guilty to both counts of murder and the five counts of assault and battery. According to District Attorney Paul Tucker’s office, Espinoza was represented by attorney Victoria Kelleher.

The Hon. Batista and Espinoza were both held without bail. Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman and are scheduled to return to court on November 21 for a pretrial conference.

The four other suspects are expected to be arraigned in Essex County Superior Court at a later date to be determined.