The trial of one of six defendants in a brutal triple murder that gripped New Jersey's largest city in 2007 resumed today. The lone survivor of the tragic event, Natasha Aeriel, took the stand around 2 p.m. at the Essex County Courthouse.

Jose Carranza, an illegal immigrant from Peru who was 28 years old at the time of the attacks, is charged with murder, robbery, sexual assault and weapons offenses.

Carranza was arrested in August 2007 along with five other people. The suspects were charged in connection with the execution-style killings of Dashon Harvey, Iofemi Hightower and Terrance "T.J." Aeriel on a playground behind Newark's Mount Vernon School.

Carranza is also charged with sexually assaulting Natasha Aeriel.

Two defendants have already been convicted and are serving consecutive life sentences. Two others pleaded guilty.

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