NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Two mothers are bonded in grief and feeding off each other’s determination in their pursuit of justice for their children: Nikki Huang and Jesse Parrilla -- both tortured and murdered nearly two years ago.
Amy Chan, who's Huang's mother, and Michelle Morales, who's Parrilla's mother, both watched and listened intently as defendant Rahul Cuya entered his plea of not guilty on Wednesday.
Prosecutors said it all started when a group of suspects robbed Huang of her expensive Louis Vuitton handbag in May 2022.
Huang then complained about the crime to a gang-affiliated friend, which triggered a shootout with a rival gang.
Nikki Huang, left and Jesse Parrilla, right (Credit: Family handouts)Investigators said that same rival gang retaliated by kidnapping and then murdering Huang and Parrilla.
Cuya is now the fourth indicted suspect in custody. One more suspect, Steven Santiago, is still on the loose.
The judge denied Cuya's request for bail.
Aril Cohen is Cuya’s court-appointed defense attorney.
"He does face very serious charges. He does maintain his innocence. And our office will work toward getting the best possible outcome in this case," said Cohen.
Both Chan and Morales said denying Cuya bail is a good start.
"She'll be glad that the case is moving forward. And we'll be here for every court hearing, anytime there's any evidence, we'll be here 100% of the way," said Chan.
Morales added, "This is a painful battle that a mother has to face. And it's not an easy thing. This could have been anybody's children. And I will not give up."
Cuya faces multiple felony charges, which all carry a maximum term of life in prison. He is due back in court on June 21.
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