4 NY teens face sentencing for their roles in hate crime killing of Ecuadorean immigrant
By APWednesday, August 25, 2010
4 teens in NY hate crime stabbing face sentencing
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — Four New York teenagers who admitted being part of a gang that targeted Hispanics for violence face long prison terms for their roles in the killing of an Ecuadorean immigrant.
The four pleaded guilty to gang assault and other charges in the 2008 stabbing death of Marcelo Lucero (mar-SEHL’-oh loo-SEHR’-oh) in Patchogue (PACH’-awg), about 50 miles east of New York City. They’re set to be sentenced Wednesday.
The killing focused attention on the treatment of Hispanics in New York’s Suffolk County. The area has seen a recent influx of Central and South American immigrants.
In May, 19-year-old Jeffrey Conroy was sentenced to 25 years in prison following his conviction on manslaughter as a hate crime. Authorities say he stabbed Lucero.
Two others await sentencing later.
