Seven indicted for murder in connection with fatal beating

By Globe Staff

Seven men have been indicted on second-degree murder charges in the fatal beating of a 30-year-old man outside a downtown bar this summer, Suffolk County prosecutors said today.

A grand jury handed up the charges against Jason Benalfew, 26, of Lynn; Justin Cooke, 25, of Lynn; Jonathan Fernandez, 23, of Lynn; Johan Garcia, 28, of Lynn; Ruskyn Garcia, 25, of Lynn; Anthony Villalobos, 21, of Revere; and Michael Welch, 27, of Lynn.

The group fatally beat Jose Alicea on Stanhope Street in the early morning hours of Aug. 20, prosecutors said.

The group also faces charges in the beating of three others. Five other defendants are charged with kicking and/or beating two of those three victims.