Jose Carranza declined to testify in his own defense. He was among six men and boys arrested for the murders of Dashon Harvey, Iofemi Hightower and Terrance "T.J." Aeriel in a playground behind Newark's Mount Vernon School.
The victims were attending or planning to attend Delaware State University.
Carranza, an illegal immigrant from Peru, was free on bail in an unrelated case when the murders occurred.
Two co-defendants have been convicted and two others pleaded guilty. One testified against Carranza, saying he slashed and sexually assaulted a fourth victim who survived the attack.
Authorities say the closing arguments in the case will likely come Monday
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