Potential Jurors Cannot Get Past Their Racism Against Latinos to Serve on Murder Trial

Marcelo Lucero was a hard working, legal Immigrant from Ecuador. In November, 2008, while returning to his home in Patchogue, NY, he was brutally murdered. Marcelo was attacked by seven teenagers who named themselves "the Caucasian Crew." This group of wild, angry, unruly teenagers had a habit of going to Latino neighborhoods to assault Latinos each week. They called this violent spree "Beaner Stomping."

Jeffrey Conroy (19) is the first defendant of the Caucasian Crew to go to trial. Members of his Crew have said he is the person who brutally stabbed Marcelo in this vicious HATE CRIME. Conroy even initially confessed to this.

The jury selection for the trial is underway. Last week, after three days of jury selection, about 130 men and women were questioned by the judge, the prosecutor and Mr. Conroy’s defense lawyer in State Supreme Court. Only five were selected; the rest were excused. On Monday, jury selection continued as another roughly 130 were brought in, and more than a dozen were excused by the end of the day. Many jurors have been dismissed due to their views on Illegal Immigration. It is obvious that those consumed with HATE because of their views on Illegal Immigration, allow this HATE to infringe on their ability to serve on a jury about the brutal murder of a LEGAL IMMIGRANT who was murdered because he was LATINO.
Reference:
In Jury Selection for Hate Crime, a Struggle to Find Tolerance

Justice for Marcelo Lucero: Another Defendant Plea Bargains!

Jose Pacheco, one of six remaining defendants awaiting trial in the fatal stabbing of Marcelo Lucero, a legal Ecuadorean immigrant in New York has pleaded guilty to gang assault as a hate crime. Jose Pacheco agreed Wednesday to testify against other defendants accused in the death of dry-cleaning worker Marcelo Lucero. Lucero was stabbed in the chest Nov. 8, 2008, in Patchogue, N.Y. Authorities say seven teens went "Beaner Jumping" looking for a Latino victim. Last month, another defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy and hate crime charges and agreed to testify. The year since the Lucero slaying has put national spotlight on the area's race relations. The U.S. Justice Department launched a probe of hate crimes and police response to them.

With two of the seven defendants pleading guilty to charges in connection with the hate killing of Ecuadorean immigrant Marcelo Lucero, legal experts say more pleas can be expected as the case moves toward trial.
"It usually ends up being a little bit like bowling pins," said Bruce Barket, a Garden City defense attorney not affiliated with the case. "Once one falls, it tends to cause others to obtain a plea." With Pacheco testifying against the group, it may be possible for the remaining defendants to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Hopefully this will deter future potential Hate Crime attackers from hurting anyone else.
Reference:
NY teen guilty of hate crime in Ecuadorean's death
STOP HATE CRIMES! Sunday Marks One Year Anniversary of Marcelo Lucero's Murder!