NEWARK, N.J. — The prosecution has rested its case against one of six men charged with killing three friends in a Newark schoolyard in 2007.

Jurors heard the final portion of a taped statement made to police by defendant Alexander Alfaro upon his arrest two weeks after the execution-style killings.

Alfaro faces 17 counts including murder and robbery. Two other defendants are serving multiple life sentences.

Last week, Alfaro’s cousin testified Alfaro said he was summoned to the schoolyard because gang members were there. But a Newark police detective testified Monday that a criminal background check of the victims found no gang affiliations or criminal history.

All three were bound for Delaware State University. They were each shot in the back of the head after being forced to kneel facing a wall.