June 16, 2022
TRENTON-HAMILTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced that a Trenton man was convicted by a jury today for murdering a 20-year-old man trying to purchase a PlayStation 4 for his younger brother.
On June 16, 2022, Akmal Alvaranga, 34, was convicted on all counts of the indictment, including murder, felony murder, kidnapping, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Hamilton police officers were dispatched to the corner of Sixth Avenue and Assunpink Boulevard on March 24, 2018, at approximately 2 p.m., on the report of an unconscious and unresponsive male near the canal. Responding officers located the victim, later identified as 20-year-old Danny Diaz-Delgado, face down and unresponsive with his hands tied behind his back and tape around his face, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, head and leg.
Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Cook represented the state during the three-week trial before Mercer County Superior Court Judge Darlene J. Pereksta. The state presented evidence and testimony that Alvaranga and co-defendant Rufus Thompson lured Diaz-Delgado to an alley in Trenton under the guise of purchasing a PlayStation4 for his younger brother. The two men kidnapped the victim at gunpoint, bound and gagged him, and held him for hours in a Trenton garage before driving him to Hamilton and shooting him nine times in the back.
Thompson previously pleaded guilty to Diaz-Delgado’s murder and is serving a 45-year prison sentence. Alvaranga is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2022. He faces life in prison on the murder charge with a consecutive prison sentence of 15-30 years on the kidnapping charge.
“The State is grateful that the jury was able to review the overwhelming evidence in this case and come to a swift and just verdict,” Cook said. “By all accounts, Danny was a remarkable person who was a great friend, loving brother, and devoted son. Tragically, Danny’s young life was cut short after crossing paths with the defendant. While we can never get Danny back, it is our hope that his loved ones can find some comfort in today’s guilty verdict.”
The investigation was led by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and Sgt. Michael Castaldo of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. The defendant was represented by Edward Hesketh, Esq.
Akmal Alvaranga, 34
On June 16, 2022, Akmal Alvaranga, 34, was convicted on all counts of the indictment, including murder, felony murder, kidnapping, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Rufus Thompson
Rufus Thompson previously pleaded guilty to Diaz-Delgado’s murder and is serving a 45-year prison sentence.
DANNY DIAZ-DELGADO/FACEBOOK
File Photo: DANNY DIAZ-DELGADO/FACEBOOK
The scene that day file photos from Brian McCarthy, OnScene News, MidJersey.News
The scene that day file photos from Brian McCarthy, OnScene News, MidJersey.News
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