Career criminal William Ferrer pleads not guilty to Bronx murder of 12-year-old Jacob Freytes — as boy’s weeping mother watches feet away

A 45-year-old career criminal pleaded not guilty Thursday to fatally shooting the 12-year-old son of a retired NYPD detective, according to court proceedings.

William Ferrer, 45, appeared in Bronx Supreme Court dressed in beige jail scrubs.

The defendant is accused of firing the stray bullet that killed 12-year-old Jacob Freytes, authorities said.

The fatal shooting occurred on July 25 outside a Mount Eden bodega, prosecutors said.

Jacob was the son of retired NYPD Detective Sgt. Jesus Freytes, authorities said.

On July 25, the boy had biked to Wanda Deli Grocery to buy a ball, authorities said.

The grocery store is located on Elliott Place near the Grand Concourse, authorities said.

A street dispute erupted outside the bodega while the child was present, authorities said.

Ferrer allegedly opened fire during the street dispute, authorities said.

Jacob was caught in the crossfire outside the bodega, authorities said. Surveillance footage showed the youngster clutching his chest and staggering back into the store after he was struck.

Two men were also wounded during the gunfire, authorities said.

Ferrer has at least a half-dozen prior arrests dating back to 1999, records show. He now faces murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, assault and weapons charges in the shooting.

The victim’s mother, Migdalia Martinez, sat just feet away from the defendant inside the courtroom on Thursday. She was surrounded by about a dozen family members.

Martinez dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she watched Ferrer in court for the first time. She wore a T-shirt emblazoned with photos of herself and her slain son.

“I just wanted him to see how I felt, what he left me with. I feel like a shell. I carry a burden,” Martinez said. “I don’t feel like I deserve this.”

Before the hearing, defense attorneys made a bid to keep news cameras away from the defendant, court records show. Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood rejected the request and ruled that the press could photograph Ferrer.

“This was an incident that was allegedly on video,” Yearwood said from the bench.

“Even I, as a Bronx resident, saw the video,” the judge said.

“I don’t know that there can really be any prejudice by photographing the defendant at the proceeding,” Yearwood said.

“Additionally, this court believes in the public’s right to know,” the judge said.

“You open the doors wide, you allow the public to see what’s happening, and that will help to provide confidence in the system, that we are not doing things in the dark,” Yearwood said.

Yearwood addressed Jacob’s relatives directly from the bench, court records show. The judge warned the family that the proceedings would not move swiftly.

“One of the things I try to explain is that, look, the case is in the court system. It’s not going to be resolved tomorrow,” Yearwood told the gallery.

“You’re welcome to come to every single court date, but understand you’re not getting a trial before the end of this year because unfortunately we have a lot of cases that we have to work through,” the judge said.

Outside the courtroom, Martinez said she had previously seen Ferrer on neighborhood streets. Seeing the man accused of killing her son was entirely different, she said.

“Whether I’ve seen him before or not, it’s a lot different when you see them after they committed something like that to someone you love,” Martinez said.

Martinez criticized what she viewed as an effort by Ferrer to delay facing the consequences of her son’s death.

“He’s trying to buy time. The system is just messed up. This is just a mockery to him,” Martinez said.

“From his point of view it was an accident, but hey, as long as I don’t do life it’s fine,” Martinez said.

Yearwood ordered Ferrer held without bail, court records show.

Ferrer is due back in court Nov. 17.