Three suspected members of the MS-13 gang pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges Monday stemming from two killings.
Jose Gomez Amaya, Edwin Ortiz and Alexander Aguilar are accused of killing Edgar Villolobos in Brentwood last month. Ortiz is also charged in the fatal May shooting of Dexter Acheampong in Central Islip.
Prosecutors say the trio thought their victims were rival gang members. They also say the men signed written statements detailing their involvement in the crimes but Ortiz?s attorney says he has serious questions about the statements.
Aguilar also faces charges in the June shooting of a teen in Brentwood, who remains in the hospital.