PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The trial began Wednesday for the two men accused of killing Philadelphia Police Sgt. Richard Mendez, who was shot while trying to stop a car theft at the airport two years ago.
Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez and Hendrick Peña-Fernandez face second-degree murder and robbery charges for what prosecutors say was their role in an October 2023 incident at Philadelphia International Airport.
If convicted, they could face life in prison.
In their opening statement, prosecutors told jurors that Martinez-Fernandez and Pena-Fernandez were part of an organized crew who stole cars. They said on Oct. 12, 2023, the pair, along with Alexander Batista-Polanco and Jesús Madera-Durán, were in the airport's Terminal D parking lot trying to steal a Jeep when Mendez and his partner, Raul Ortiz, confronted them.
Authorities say the suspects opened fire, killing Mendez and wounding Ortiz. Prosecutors said Martinez-Fernandez stole Mendez’s gun before the group drove Madera-Durán to the hospital. Madera-Durán, who was also shot, later died at Children’s Hospital.
Investigators said video, cell phone, and ballistic evidence, and DNA tie two men to the killings. Days after the shooting, a Dodge Charger that police connected to the group was found in Kensington. They said DNA from a shell casing matched Martinez-Fernandez and that the group live-streamed their drive to the airport on Instagram, with him showing off a gun.
Martinez-Fernandez's attorney said there is no video showing who fired the shots, and Peña-Fernandez's lawyer said his client did nothing criminal.
Batista-Polanco pleaded guilty last week to third-degree murder.
Commissioner Kevin Bethel was among those present on the first day.
“Just remember the man and what he did and the service he did in and out of the police department. That’s who we are, and he represents all of that,” he said.
Police now say the group was linked to an interstate car theft ring that would steal high-value cars like Durangos, Chargers and Jeep Grand Cherokees, which they would resell in Camden County.
Thirteen people were arrested in connection with that investigation in September, including the two defendants and Batista-Polanco.
The murder trial is expected to last through next week.