Prosecutors Andrea Cardamone and Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobee contend that the five were part of a plot that resulted in the fatal stabbings of Cuahuctemoc Bedolla, 27, and Jose Rodriguez, 29, both of West Grove, on Dec. 3 in New Garden Township.
For security reasons, the hearing was held in the Chester County Justice Center, where deputy sheriffs outnumbered the defendants by more than 3-1. Spectators included about a half-dozen relatives on both sides.
Among the six prosecution witnesses were two Kennett High School students, ages 16 and 18, who helped organize an outdoor bonfire-party that featured a big-screen TV so partygoers could watch a scheduled boxing match. They both testified that members of the Sureños gang arrived at the party and were asked to leave because rival Viking gang members were present.
"Everyone knows that when Sureños and VKs meet up, there's going to be trouble," the 16-year-old testified.
Both students testified that before the boxing match started, two carloads of Sureños pulled up and ambushed the Vikings. Both teens said they fled, but not before recognizing some of the participants.
Investigators testified that some of the defendants started the evening at a baby shower at the American Legion hall in Kennett Square before attending a second party, where they learned that the group of Sureños had been asked to leave the bonfire. In response, they recruited a second carload and returned with weapons that included a knife and pipe, detectives said.
Chester County Detective Robert Dougherty testified that Eumana admitted to police that he traded blows with Bedolla, who tried to crawl away "screaming like a mad monkey" as he was kicked and beaten.
Three defendants waived Friday's hearing: Kenneth Fitzsimons, 20, of West Grove, and Edwin "Barrill" Romero, 16, and Fabian "Macaco" Cortez, 20, both of Kennett Square. The hearings for Junior Lopez, 18, and Jorge L. "Borrega" Ramirez, 19, both of Avondale, and Orlando V. "Pitufo" Diaz, 17, and Stephen A. Daddezio, 17, both of West Grove, have not been scheduled.
Police said gang tensions have plagued the area for more than a decade but have rarely erupted in violence.
Contact staff writer Kathleen Brady Shea at 610-696-3815, kbrady@phillynews.com, or @brandywinebits on Twitter. Read her blog, "Chester County Inbox," at www.philly.com/chescoinbox.
