Assailant in fatal immigrant beating says group concocted cover-up story afterward

Pa. teen says group covered up immigrant assault

SCRANTON, Pa. — One of the teenagers involved in the fatal beating of an illegal Mexican immigrant in Pennsylvania has told a jury he made plans with his friends to develop a cover story over the way the man died.

The Pottsville Republican & Herald reports on its website that Colin Walsh says the group discussed needing to get their stories straight.

Walsh’s testimony came on the fifth day of the trial of Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak. The two are charged with a federal hate crime in the July 2008 assault by a tight-knit bunch of white athletes.

Prosecutors allege Piekarsky kicked Luis Ramirez in the head, while Donchak is accused of plotting with Shenandoah police to obstruct an FBI investigation.

Walsh has pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case.

Information from: Pottsville Republican and Herald, www.republicanherald.com