Mercer Man Convicted In Death Of 20-Year-Old Buying PlayStation

Princeton NJ

16 June, 2022

4:17 PM

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MERCER COUNTY, NJ – A Trenton man was convicted by a jury Thursday for the 2018 death of Danny Diaz-Delgado who was trying to buy a PlayStation 4 for his younger brother, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said. Akmal Alvaranga, 34, was convicted on all counts of the indictment, including murder, felony murder, kidnapping, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun, Onofri said. Alvaranga's co-defendant Rufus Thompson pleaded guilty to the murder in 2019. He is serving a 45-year prison sentence. On March 24, 2018, at approximately 2 p.m., Hamilton police were dispatched to the corner of Sixth Avenue and Assunpink Boulevard on reports of an unconscious and unresponsive man near the canal. Officers found Diaz-Delgado, 20, face down and unresponsive with his hands tied behind his back and tape around his face, Onofri said. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, head and leg, authorities said. According to evidence and testimony presented in court, Alvaranga and Thompson lured Diaz-Delgado to an alley in Trenton under the guise of purchasing a PlayStation 4. The two men kidnapped Diaz-Delgado at gunpoint, bound and gagged him, and held him for hours in a Trenton garage before driving him to Hamilton and shooting him nine times in the back. Diaz-Delgado had communicated with the men through Facebook messenger, police said. More: 2 Men Indicted For Death Of Man Killed While Buying A PlayStation A Trenton native, Diaz-Delgado, was described in his obituary as someone who "enjoyed spending time with his loving family." He was interested in sports, camping, martial arts and track and field and enjoyed "the views of the ocean while protecting lives as a lifeguard." More: Danny Just Wanted A PlayStation. He Ended Up Bound, Shot, Killed Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Cook represented the state during the three-week trial. "By all accounts, Danny was a remarkable person who was a great friend, loving brother, and devoted son. Tragically, Danny's young life was cut short after crossing paths with the defendant," Cook said in a statement. "While we can never get Danny back, it is our hope that his loved ones can find some comfort in today's guilty verdict." Alvaranga is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 1. Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected]