The red tuxedos

By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

The strangest detail to emerge from the fatal beating last week outside a Back Bay nightclub was the tuxedos.

The initial report of the beating last Friday morning near the 33 Restaurant & Lounge described the alleged attackers as 12 men wearing matching red tuxedos. The victim, Jose Alicea, 22, died on Sunday night after suffering massive head trauma.

During the suspects' arraignments in Boston Municipal Court on Monday, a more detailed description emerged. The Suffolk District Attorney's office said nine of the 12 alleged attackers wore matching black tuxedos with red vests and red ties. The men's shoes and clothing -- including the nine rented tuxedos -- were seized as evidence.

Today at City Hall, another detail came to light. The owner of the nightclub, Greg F. Den Herder, testified before the Boston Licensing Board that 30 people arrived at 33 Restaurant & Lounge in two limousines between 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The group had been at a funeral earlier in the day in Lynn. The nightclub staff eventually learned that the men – and at least two women – were wearing the tuxedos with red accents because it was the same outfit their friend was buried in.

The photograph at the left was taken inside 33 Restaurant & Lounge on Thursday night and shows the outfit worn by members of the funeral party. The image was sent to the Globe.