By Ivan Pereira
Michael Oquendo, 25 of 165 East 112th St. in Manhattan, pleaded guilty on Jan. 16 to manslaughter in the May 6 murder of Douglas Caranza-Castillo. Oquendo admitted to stabbing the 20-year-old bouncer outside Las Palyitas, located on 170-03 Jamaica Ave., after they got into an altercation in which Cananza-Castillo tried to quiet Oquendo and his entourage, according to Brown.”The defendant's conduct was violent and irresponsible and the sentence to be imposed is, under the circumstances, more than warranted,” he said in a statement.Oquendo was arrested a short time after and was held without bail, the DA said. Queens Criminal Court Judge Arthur Cooperman set a sentencing trial for Feb. 28.Oquendo could face up to 15 years in prison for his crime, Brown said.Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
