Justice for Luis Ramirez: Colin Walsh Admitted His Role and Will Now Serve His Time

Colin Walsh, the young man who told the truth to the Feds regarding the murder of Luis Ramirez, was sentenced to 55 months in Federal Prison today. Viewers who followed the Luis Ramirez story here recall that Walsh was the only young man that told the truth to both Prosecutors and to the Feds. This resulted in the incarceration of both Piekarsky and Donchek for being the actual people who inflicted the blows that killed Luis Ramirez. From the beginning, Walsh said he was sorry. He was brave amidst all of the racial anger that surrounded these trials. Thanks to Walsh, there was Justice for Luis and his children. Now, even as Walsh goes to prison, he says his punishment is fair and it will, in the end, make his life better. Our prayers are with him as he accepts the punishment for his role in this crime. May this help lead to the end of ALL HATE CRIMES! Citizensvoice.com reports: Man involved in fatal Shenandoah beating sentenced to 55 months WILKES-BARRE — One of the teens involved in the fatal beating of an illegal immigrant in Shenandoah in 2008 was sentenced April 6 to fifty-five months in federal prison. Colin Walsh was a witness against two other teens, Brandon J. Piekarsky and Derrick M. Donchak, who were convicted in the beating death of Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala. Piekarsky and Donchak have appealed. "I think it's going to make my life a lot better," Walsh said outside the courthouse on April 6. "I'm going to advance and make something better out of this and be a better person because of it. Thank you." The sentencing hearing before Judge A. Richard Caputo was closed to the public and media. "It's a very fair and appropriate sentence and it's about what we expected," said Walsh's attorney Roger R. Laguna Jr. Walsh was released until his reporting date of May 6.

Luis Ramirez Murderers Sentenced! Piekarsky and Donchak Get 9 years!

U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo ruled that Derrick M. Donchak and Brandon J. Piekarsky must spend nine years in a federal prison for their role in the 2008 Shenandoah murder of Luis Ramirez. Neither perpetrator reacted to the sentence. Donchak did not address the court. Piekarsky made a brief statement apologizing to the family of Ramirez and denying he was a racist. After serving the nine years, each man must remain on supervised release for three years.

Justice has been served for Luis Ramirez.

May HATE CRIMES like this Never Happen Again!

Mixed Justice for Luis Ramirez: Two Cops Guilty of Cover-Up, Piekarsky's Mom's Boyfriend Acquitted -- Says He Wants to be a Cop Again!

standardspeaker.com reports: WILKES-BARRE - Tears of joy mingled with sadness as one former Shenandoah policeman was acquitted Thursday of obstructing the investigation of the fatal beating of Luis Ramirez, while two of his former colleagues were each convicted of one charge. In a courtroom packed with the defendants' families and friends of the accused, and after about 14 hours of deliberations over two days, a federal jury of eight women and four men found the accused Jason Hayes, 37, of Shenandoah, not guilty of conspiracy and filing a false police report. "I feel terrific," said a smiling Hayes, who added that he wants to become a policeman again.

However, the same jury found Matthew R. Nestor guilty of filing a false police report and William Moyer guilty of lying to the FBI. Jurors ruled Nestor and Moyer not guilty of conspiracy and Moyer not guilty of filing a false police report, tampering with evidence and tampering with a witness. "I think I had a fair jury," Moyer said. "I'm very thankful I was found not guilty of the other charges. The thing I'm most thankful for is that I have a good family behind me."

Nestor said nothing as he left the Max Rosenn United States Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre, following the verdict, which elicited happiness among Hayes' family and friends, especially his fiancee, Tammy Piekarsky (murderer Piekarsky's mom), who jumped up and down and wept with joy after he was found not guilty.

Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo, who presided over the 13-day trial, set April 29 as the date for the sentencing of Nestor and Moyer, who face possible sentences of 20 years and five years, respectively. Both men are free pending sentencing. Joseph P. Nahas Jr., Frackville, one of Nestor's lawyers, said he would "absolutely" file an appeal of his client's conviction, while Enid W. Harris, Kingston, Moyer's lawyer, said she probably would not appeal her client's conviction. Any appeal by Nestor or Moyer would be heard by the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Prosecutors are legally barred from appealing the not guilty verdicts.

Ramirez Murder - Kick in the Head Federal Hate Crime Trial Update

Finally, the truth is coming out about the KICK IN THE HEAD MURDER of Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah, PA. The Federal Hate Crime Trial IS ON!!! Eileen Burke, the eye witness of the murder who WAS NOT allowed to testify at the extremely BIASED Shenandoah Trial previously, was FINALLY allowed to testify! Her testimony is REVEALING! Finally, Finally the TRUTH is coming out!!
SCRANTON - The trial of two Shenandoah men charged with federal hate crimes in the beating death of an illegal Mexican immigrant continues today. Donchak, 20, of Shenandoah, and Piekarsky, 18, of Shenandoah Heights, are charged with a federal hate crime, and face possible life sentences, in connection with the July 12, 2008, beating of Ramirez on West Lloyd Street in Shenandoah. Donchak also is charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Crystal Dillman, the mother of Ramirez's children, left the courtroom crying after the playing of the tape of the 911 call made by Elaine Burke, Shenandoah, a retired Philadelphia police officer. "It doesn't look like he is conscious," Burke said on the tape. "It was a fight." Previously, Burke testified that Piekarsky had made a threat to Ariel Garcia, a friend of Ramirez who was crouching next to his motionless form. '"You tell your Mexican friends to get ... out of Shenandoah or you're going to be ... lying next to him'," was what Piekarsky said, Burke testified.

A second person, who was with the Shenandoah-area men testified Thursday that one of the defendants delivered a fatal kick. Brian Scully, of Shenandoah, said he had kicked Ramirez in the shoulder, but that Piekarsky was more accurate. "I regained my balance and I saw Brandon kick him. (Ramirez) started shaking," he testified. Scully, who was tried as a juvenile in Schuylkill County Court, said he has no deal with federal authorities concerning possible charges from the incident.

A youth who was with two Shenandoah-area men testified that one of the pair delivered a fatal kick. "Brandon Piekarsky" kicked Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala, Ben Lawson, Shenandoah, told jurors and Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo as part of his testimony on the fourth day of the trial of Piekarksy and Derrick M. Donchak. He also testified that Donchak later showed him a piece of metal that he said he had been glad to have when fighting with Ramirez. On cross-examination, however, Lawson said he had drunk two 40-ounce beers that evening, was intoxicated and did not remember some parts of that evening.

Donchak, 20, of Shenandoah, and Piekarsky, 18, of Shenandoah Heights, are charged with a federal hate crime, and face possible life sentences, in connection with the July 12, 2008, beating of Ramirez on West Lloyd Street in Shenandoah. Donchak also is charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice. A Mahanoy City police officer testified this morning in federal court that an illegal Mexican immigrant two Shenandoah-area men are charged with beating looked like he would die - which he did two days later. "His head was misshapen, swollen out on his left side," Lt. John Kaczmarczyk, the first witness in the trial of Derrick M. Donchak and Brandon J. Piekarsky, testified of Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala. Kaczmarcyzk also testified he took a photograph of a shoe print on Ramirez's chest.

Also testifying were Ann Marie Kovalewski, a Shenandoah Ambulance paramedic, and Elizabeth Schlack, Shenandoah, who call 911 to report the incident. "His whole head was soft. Your fingers would push in," is how Kovalewski described Ramirez's condition as she treated him. As Schlack testified, prosecutors played her 911 call for the jury. "Teenagers fighting and beating each other," is how she described the scene. "There were girls screaming and guys beating each other."

(The Trial Continues and I will continue to provide updates to the results/outcome of the Federal Hate Crime Trial).

Hate Crime Murder Trials in 2009: Pledge to Viewers - I will Continue to Track Status!

The FBI has reported that Hate Crimes against Latinos have increased by over 40%. As my long time readers know, I have been tracking 4 Hate Crimes against Latinos which occurred over a 10 month period. I want to shed enough light on these crimes to ensure the perpetrators of these crimes are punished to the fullest extent of the law. That way, potential future Hate Crime Murderers will know and if they follow through and commit the crime, they will be identified and punished. Hopefully, this will deter them from the committing these crimes at all.

Most Heinous Hate Crimes Against Latinos in 10 month time period:

1. Luis Ramirez murder - July 12, 2008; Piekarsky, Donchak Trial: May 2009, found not guilty of most serious crimes. Sentenced to 6 months for minor offenses. Dec., 2009, DOJ Grand Jury indicts for Hate Crime Murders. In Prison. No Bond.

2. Marcelo Lucero murder - Nov. 8, 2008 by Caucasian Crew who regularly went "Beaner Jumping": Dec. 2009, Crew defendants plea bargains against charged murderer Jeff Conroy.

3. Chilean Student Murders - Feb. 26, 2009; Two innocents murdered, three wounded. Nov. 19, 2009: Dannie Baker found mentally incompetent to stand trial. Sent to FL State Mental Hospital.

4. 9 yr old Brisenia Flores and Dad - May 30, 2009; Minutemen Leaders Shawna Forde & Gunny Forde indicted for 1st degree murder with death penalty. Trial date tbd.

While I am confident in murders 1, 2, and 4 holding the perps accountable, I am still concerned about Dannie Baker receiving his proper punishment. Here is the latest update from one of Baker's surviving victims.

NWFDailyNews reports:

MIRAMAR BEACH — Francisco Javier Cofre-Fernandez’s life changed dramatically the morning of Feb. 26.
The once vibrant 25-year-old was shot in the face. He lost sight in one eye, lost his right arm and suffered facial damages after lawmen say Dannie Baker opened fire through a window of a town home on Cofre-Fernandez and other Chilean students about 1:45 a.m.
Five students, four men and a woman, were eating and discussing job opportunities in Destin when Baker shot them with a rifle at Summer Lake town home subdivision on Scenic Gulf Drive. Walton County sheriff’s deputies arrived to find two of them dead and three wounded. Baker, 61, barricaded himself inside his nearby town home until he surrendered shortly after 6 a.m.

He was held at the Walton County Jail from then until Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells ruled Nov. 19 that he was incompetent to stand trial. Florida State Hospital is required to report Baker’s mental-health status to Wells within six months, although it can report that he is competent at any time, Assistant State Attorney Bobby Elmore said after the November hearing.
If Baker is not deemed competent, the hospital will continue to treat him and provide annual reports to Wells, Elmore said. If he is deemed incompetent for five years, the case must be dismissed. However, charges can be re-filed if he ever becomes competent, Elmore said.
“It is very difficult to accept something like that. I know that a mentally sane person cannot do something like Baker did, but it should not go unpunished,” Cofre-Fernandez said.

Breaking News: Federal Judge Denies BAIL for Brandon Piekarsky & Derrick Donchak for "Kick in the Head" Hate Crime Murder of Luis Ramirez

Breaking News: A Federal Judge Denies BAIL for Brandon Piekarsky & Derrick Donchak for "Kick in the Head" Hate Crime Murder of Luis Ramirez. Piekarsky & Donchak MUST STAY IN JAIL. Piekarsky was scheduled to go home from Prison on Thursday for his previous "slap on the hand" convinction by a local jury.

AP Reports:

Pa. teens plead not guilty to hate crime charge
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM (AP) – 8 minutes ago
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — A federal judge has denied bail for two Pennsylvania teens charged with a hate crime in the death of a Mexican immigrant. Eighteen-year-old Brandon Piekarsky and 19-year-old Derrick Donchak pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Wilkes-Barre (BEHR'). They were arraigned on charges stemming from the July 2008 beating death of 25-year-old Luis Ramirez in the town of Shenandoah.

Judge Malachy Mannion has denied them bail and said they are dangers to the community. A jury previously acquitted the teens of the most serious state charges, angering Hispanic leaders and civil-rights groups. Gov. Ed Rendell asked the Justice Department to pursue civil rights charges.

Three police officers were charged last week with obstructing the investigation into Ramirez's death.

Breaking News: Governor Rendell Asks A.G. Eric Holder to File Civil Rights Charges Against Ramirez Murderers!

Breaking NEWS: The honorable Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has sent a letter to A.G. Eric Holder recommending the DOJ pursue civil rights charges against the murderers of Luis Ramirez. The honorable governor said the overwhelming evidence provided during the trial justfies charges against the murderers Piekarsky and Donchak.

PR Newswire reports:

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 29, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Governor Edward G. Rendell has recommended that the Department of Justice pursue civil rights charges against two Schuylkill County individuals involved in the beating of Mexican immigrant Luis Ramirez in Pottsville on July 12, 2008. Ramirez died two days later as a result of his injuries, which included two skull fractures.
The Governor said that the evidence and testimony presented during the trial justified charges against Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak for violating Ramirez's civil rights. Governor Rendell noted that one of the co-conspirators in the case, Colin Walsh, has already plead guilty to civil rights violations.

"The evidence suggests that Mr. Ramirez was targeted, beaten and killed because he was Mexican," wrote Governor Rendell in the letter. "This beating was so brutal and violent that Mr. Ramirez's skull was crushed in two different places. This senseless and cowardly attack appears to have been a hate crime as racial slurs were hurled against Mr. Ramirez throughout the fatal assault.
"Such lawlessness and violence hurts not only the direct victim of the attack but also our towns and communities that are torn apart by such bigotry and intolerance. That is why I am pleased that the Department of Justice is presently investigating whether to bring civil rights charges against Piekarsky and Donchak for their role in the fatal beating of Mr. Ramirez. I believe that justice and fairness mandate such a prosecution."
After the jury rendered its decision earlier this month, Governor Rendell wrote the county's district attorney, James Goodman, stating his belief that Piekarsky and Donchak deserved the maximum possible sentence for their roles in the savage assault and killing of Ramirez.
In that letter, the Governor said while he did not wish to second-guess the jury's decision, he felt imposing the maximum possible sentence would send a message that this kind of senseless criminal behavior and ethnic intimidation is not appropriate.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his newsletter, visit http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.

Media Advisory: CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS DEMAND JUSTICE FOR LUIS RAMIREZ AND CALL FOR ACTION ON INCREASE OF HATE CRIMES

MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
CONTACT: Estuardo Rodriguez: 202-631-2892, Laura Rodriguez: 310-956-2425
CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS DEMAND JUSTICE FOR LUIS RAMIREZ AND CALL FOR ACTION ON INCREASE OF HATE CRIMES
Civil rights community stunned by defendants’ acquittal despite swell of evidence and testimony to the contrary; calls for swift passage of Hate Crimes bill in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, a broad coalition of civil rights leaders and elected officials will host a news conference in Russell Park in front of the Russell Senate Office Building at 10:00 a.m. EST to discuss the severe injustice suffered by a hate crime victim who was murdered in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. The coalition will call on the United States Department of Justice to pursue a broad and comprehensive investigation of the beating and brutal murder of 25 year old, father of two, Luis Ramirez. The Department of Justice should consider bringing federal hate crimes charges against those responsible for Ramirez’s death. Ramirez lost his life in July 2008, after he was knocked unconscious and kicked in the head by a group of Shenandoah teenagers who yelled racial epithets before and during the brutal beating. A Schuylkill County Court jury acquitted Brandon Piekarsky, 17, of third-degree murder and ethnic intimidation and Derrick Donchak, 19, of aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation a few weeks ago. Both were convicted of simple assault.
The coalition will also urge the Senate for swift passage of the “Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009,” following a successful vote by the U.S. House of Representatives recently. The bill strengthens existing federal hate crime laws by authorizing the Department of Justice to assist local authorities in investigating and prosecuting certain bias-motivated crimes. The bill would also provide authority for the federal government to prosecute some violent bias-motivated crimes directed against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.

WHAT: News Conference on Hate Crimes

WHO: John Amaya, Legislative Staff Attorney, MALDEF
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Hilary O. Shelton, Vice President for Advocacy/Director of Washington
Bureau, NAACP
Michael Lieberman, Washington Counsel, Anti-Defamation League
Janet Murguía, President & CEO, NCLR
Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA)

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. EST

WHERE: Russell Park, in front of the Russell Senate Office Building, on the corner
of Constitution Ave. & Delaware Ave. NE in Washington, D.C.

To All My Viewers: Invitation to the Prayer Vigil for Unity in Shenandoah

To All of My Viewers:
I have received the following invitation from Dr. Agapito Lopez for the Unity Prayer Vigil for Unity in Shenandoah.

INTEGRATION TOWARDS UNITY
INTEGRACIÓN HACIA LA UNIDAD

A PRAYER VIGIL OF ALL CHURCHES IN THE SHENANDOAH, PA AREA FOR INTEGRATION OF THE COMMUNITY AFTER THE LUIS RAMIREZ CASE VERDICT.

UNA VIGILIA DE ORACIÓN DE TODAS LAS IGLESIAS EN EL ÁREA DE SHENANDOAH, PA, PARA INTEGRACIÓN DE LA COMUNIDAD DESPUÉS DEL VEREDICTO EN EL CASO DE LUIS RAMÍREZ.

DATE (FECHA): SATURDAY MAY 16, 2009
SÁBADO, 16 DE MAYO DEL 2009
TIME (HORA): 3:00 P.M.

PLACE (SITIO): KEHILLAT ISRAEL NON-
DENOMINATIONAL CHURCH
IGLESIA NO-DENOMINACIONAL
KEHILLAT ISRAEL

ADDRESS (DIRECCIÓN): 213 WEST OAK STREET
SHENANDOAH , PA 17976

SPEAKERS (ORADORES):
REV. PASTOR MARÍA LOURDES VÉLEZ NAVARRO,
REV. MIGUEL RIVERA, CONLAMIC , WASHINGTON , D.C.,
FÉLIX MOLINA, PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE LATINO COALITION, AND OTHERS

SHOCKING NEWS: Watch Former Police Officer Eileen Burke Provide the Details to the Ramirez Murder and the CoverUp By Officers Hayes and Moyer!

Eyewitness account

This is an amazing video of former police officer Eileen Burke providing details of the night Luis Ramirez was murdered by Piekarsky, Donchak and the other jocks. Then listen as she explains how Piekarsky's mom's boyfriend, officer Hayes, met with the jocks at Donchak's house. Then listen to how the D.A. did not call her. The D.A., the Sheno Police and the Defense all COLLUDED to cover-up and minimize the charges so the murderous jocks would not be charged for the serious crimes they committed. This is an eye-opening tape! Amazing!! UPDATE 2: See Eileen Burke's Video HERE!! (Thank you Anonymous!) UPDATE: The video that was deleted was an in-depth 28 minute interview with Eileen Burke, the former police officer that was a witness to the events the evening Ramirez was murdered. Here is a summary of what she said: 1. She lives across the street from the park where Ramirez was murdered. 2. She heard the racial epiteths hurled at Ramirez as he and his friend were walking through the park. She repeats them. "Go back to Mexico." Names/etc. 3. She called 911 to report the crime. They were slow in responding. 4. She became frustrated and went out on her porch. She saw the jocks. She heard the fatal kick to the head. She saw Arielle arrive. 5. Piekarsky and Donchak confronted her in her front yard. Piekarsky pushed out his chest and tried to intimidate her. He told her to keep quiet or she would wind up like her Mexican friend on the ground. Burke had never met Ramirez before that evening. 6. She saw Piekarsky and Donchak run off together with the other jocks, hiding in the other side of the park. 7. She went to Ramirez and Arielle who was hysterical standing next to Luis who was foaming at the mouth. Burke describes the foaming and dent in his head, the swelling, yet no blood. She described the indentation on Luis' chest. 8. When she talked to Arielle, Arielle said she knew Scully and Walsh from school, she did not know the others. Burke said she knew Piekarsky and Donchak from the neighborhood. 9. The police who initially arrived were from different cities and one sheriff. The Shenandoah police, Moyer, arrived later. He was rude and abrasive to both of them. He asked them both if Luis was drunk. When the ambulance finally arrived, he suggested Luis was faking it. He attempted to kick Luis but Eileen stopped him. 10. Eileen told Moyer and Hayes his partner who arrived later that she saw Piekarsky and Donchak and Arielle told them she knew Scully and Walsh from school and they were the perpetrators. Moyer and Hayes would not take their report. 11. Instead, about 30 minutes later, Moyer and Hayes pick up some stranger in town who had a bat in his had and took him to Arielle and asked her if he was the attacker. She said no. Burke said she told them who the perpetrators were. 12. Eileen said the cook from RJs bar came to the scene. The cook came to see what was going on. The cook said officer Jay Hayes had called Tammy Piekarsky who worked at the bar and said she better leave work and get a hold of Brandon because he could be in a lot of trouble. The reason Hayes was delayed in getting to the scene was because he was busy contacting Brandon's mother and developing the cover story for the perpetrators. They all met at Donchak's house to get the story straight. 13. Burke said it took 9 - 10 days before the perpetrators were even charged for the crime because of the cover up. 14. The prosecution initially said she would be called as a witness, but a week before the trial said she would only be called if needed. She describes how the lead prosecutor never interviewed her and had no intention of calling her to the stand and how a backup ADA strung her along. There never was serious consideration to strongly prosecuting the case.Her testimony would have broken this case wide open with the TRUTH!!! AND the Cover up!!

Peaceful Prayer Vigil Scheduled to Pray for Unity in Shenandoah

The Pennsylvania Latino community is planning a Peaceful Prayer Vigil to Pray for Unity in Shenandoah. In a recent interview, Dr. Agapito Lopez, a member of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Latino Affairs and vice president of the Hazleton Latino Association said, "Everyone is concerned about this decision. Not only in the community here, but the whole Hispanic community in the United States.”

On May 16, a vigil is planned to "Pray for Unity in Shenandoah." Dr. Arroyo said, "This will be a very Peaceful Prayer Vigil."

The Rev. Miguel Rivera, head of a national Latino-Christian clergy group, will attend as well as local advocates including Amilcar Arroyo. "We will pray together because in our community we ALL need to work together," Arroyo said. "We are exactly the same. We are human beings. We have families. We have goals in our lives. The Latino community does not want a confrontation, but we do want justice. It’s time to sit and talk together and see how we can work together for the future."

The details of the Prayer Vigil are as follows:

What: Prayer Vigil for Unity in Shenandoah

When: May 16, 2009 6:30 pm

Where: Kahillat Isreal Non-Denominational Christian Church, 213 W. Oak St., Shenandoah, PA 17976