SALEM, Mass. (AP) – Three Lawrence men have pleaded not guilty to charges that they participated in a fatal drive-by shooting in the city.

Authorities say 21-year-old Rigo Antonio Diaz and 19-year-old Eric Cabrera were held without bail after pleading not guilty in Essex Superior Court on Thursday to murder in connection with the June death of Jesse Mestre.

In addition, 19-year-old Franklin Cabrera was held on $100,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty to being an accessory after the fact. The Cabreras are cousins.

Chief John Romero says police think the suspects shot Mestre after an argument earlier in the night.

Mestre was found facedown in the road, shot multiple times in the abdomen, at about 4:25 a.m. on June 20 by a motorcyclist on his way to work.


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