Navajo Nation leaders met with Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry in July 2014 to discuss the brutal murders of two tribal members in New Mexico's largest city. Photo by Rick Abasta / Office of the Navajo Nation President

Closing arguments are expected today in the trial of a New Mexico teenager who is accused of murdering two men from the Navajo Nation.

Alex Rios was 18 at the time of the attacks on Alison Gorman, 44, and Kee Thompson, 45, in July 2014. The two men were beaten so badly in an empty lot on the western side of the city that authorities said their bodies were unrecognizable.

Rios did not take the stand during the trial, which began on December 4. But prosecutors called another co-defendant -- Gilbert Tafoya, who was 15 years old at the time of the incident -- to testify about his role in the crime. Tafoya has pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, assault and tampering with evidence.

"I stabbed the guy on the mattress seven times," Tafoya, now 16, told the court, The Associated Press reported. "Alex stabbed the guy on the ground about the same amount of time as me."

A third teen, Nathaniel Carillo, is scheduled to go to trial in September 2016, The Albuquerque Journal reported. He was 15 years old at the time of the attack.

The brutal crime drew attention to the mistreatment of Native Americans, some of them homeless, in New Mexico's largest city. At the urging of Navajo leaders, the city formed a task force that issued 14 recommendations, including the appointment of a tribal liaison.

The city is also offering employment to people with housing issues. Ramona Beletso, a Navajo citizen, took part in a day-laboring crew when The New York Times visited.

“I don’t even know how I ended up homeless,” Beletso told the paper. “Work helps me forget.”

Get the Story:
Homeless beating trial: Teen testifies he lied to seem crazy (KOAT 12/8)
Defense hammers accomplice in homeless beating deaths (The Albuquerque Journal 12/8)
Albuquerque, Revising Approach Toward the Homeless, Offers Them Jobs (The New York Times 12/8)
Teen finishes testifying after murder of homeless men (KRQE 12/7)
Teen testifies against friend in homeless murder trial; defense and state rest cases (KOB 12/7)
Co-Defendant Recounts Deadly Beating of Homeless Men (AP 12/5)
First ‘Murder for Fun’ Trial Begins for ABQ Teens (Indian Country Today 12/4)
Jury is shown graphic photos as beating deaths trial begins (AP 12/4)
Co-defendant takes stand in homeless beating murder trial (The Albuquerque Journal 12/4)

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Column: Seeking answers for brutal murders of two Navajo men (08/07)
Memorial for Navajo men who were murdered in New Mexico (8/4)
Navajo Nation president calls for FBI probe of brutal murders (07/25)
Navajo Nation president to discuss brutal murders with mayor (7/24)
Navajo Nation officials seek meeting in response to murders (7/23)
Bail set at $5M for teens accused of murdering Navajo men (7/22)
Teens accused of killing homeless Navajo men in New Mexico (7/21)