Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan explained Monday in detail how the 12 suspects allegedly murdered the two victims during a party at an abandoned trailer using bats, bottles, sticks, and hunting knives.
"One of the defendants said he couldn't get the knife out of the victim; it was stuck in the victim like The Sword in the Stone," Hogan said.
The twelve suspects were arrested on Monday morning during a coordinated law-enforcement sweep that started at 5:00 a.m.
But at least one of the suspects claims he is becoming a victim of "guilt by association."
Fabian Cortez admits he was at the party, but says he had nothing to do with the attack.
Action News spoke with Fabian's mother.
She says, "I am 100% certain my son is innocent. Yes, he went to that party, but he didn't even know the men who committed the murders. Fabian is a devoted, hard-working son who never hurt anyone."
But Hogan says, not only do all the suspects know each other, they belong to a gang with ties to the Mexican Mafia.
He has a message for anyone in Chester County involved in gang-related activity.
"Any gang that comes to Chester County will be dismantled and its members will be prosecuted and sent to jail," Hogan said.
The victims have been identified as Cuahuctemoc Bedolla and Jose Rodriguez, both of Kennett Square.
The suspects range in age from 16 to 20 and each are being held on $1.5 million bail.
