Men Appeal Convictions in Deadly 2007 Home Invasion

Two men convicted in a botched home invasion robbery that left one man dead and another wounded are asking an eastern Pennsylvania judge for new trials or reduced sentences.

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Forty-two-year-old Angel Echevarria of Philadelphia was sentenced to life in the 2007 robbery in Bethlehem that ended in the death of 34-year-old Daniel Rivera of Tampa, Fla. Thirty-six-year-old Hakim Wakeel of Philadelphia was acquitted of murder and other charges but convicted of robbery and assault.

The (Easton) Express-Times reports defense lawyers at Tuesday's Northampton County Court hearing focused on co-defendant Julio Lopez, who pleaded guilty to third-degree murder. Lopez was challenged by Wakeel's attorney but denied that he was offered anything for his testimony.

Echevarria's attorney said Lopez earlier described the shooting without mentioning anyone matching his client's description.

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