DOJ to Pursue Federal Charges, Local Cops Under Investigation, Jury Foreman says Most Jurors Racists, Demonstrations Planned in Shenandoah, !

DOJ to Pursue Federal Charges:

Federal officials are investigating whether to prosecute two teenagers convicted of simple assault in connection with the fatal beating of Luis Ramirez in July in Shenandoah, a U.S. Department of Justice spokesman said Monday.“There is an investigation ongoing” into the case of Brandon J. Piekarsky and Derrick M. Donchak, Alejandro Miyan said. “The Civil Rights Division is examining the evidence and will determine if there is a prosecutable violation of federal civil rights statutes.” The Mexican American Legal Defense Fund has started a petition that all supporters of Justice for Luis Ramirez can send to the DOJ. For all interested in signing and sending the petition, please log in here to forward your letter to the DOJ. Please forward this letter to all of your friends and relatives so they can also submit their support for this noble cause for Justice for Luis Ramirez.

Local Cops Under Investigation:

As I have frequently reported, the local police in Shenandoah are seemingly corrupt and racist. The testimony in the murder case indicated at least one officer, Hayes, assisted the accused Piekarsky, in creating a false alibi and coercing the fellow accused to LIE to the courts. Walsh, Scully and others testified to this in the court case. Now, the FBI is conducting an investigation into the Shenandoah Police Department. The investigation is ongoing and state police at Frackville have been told to have troopers ready to patrol the borough if necessary, according to several sources who asked not to be identified.

Jury Foreman says Most Jurors Racist:

Jury foreman, Eric Macklin, blasted some of his fellow jurors. "I believe strongly that some of the people on the jury were racist. I believe some of the people on the jury had their minds made up before the first day of the trial," Macklin said Saturday. A majority of the jury was ready to throw out the most serious charges against the teens in the first hour but jury foreman Macklin continued the deliberations pushing for a conviction on all the charges. One of the jurors, Josh Silfies, who Macklin accused of being racist, attacked Macklin saying, "Pardon my language, 'Where the "f" where you all week! Weren't you out there?' Macklin said yes. The accused racist Silfies said 'Well you must have been asleep.'"

Demonstrations Planned in Shenandoah:

People from all around the country could soon converge on the tiny borough of Shenandoah in Schuylkill County. Two men, from Florida and New York City, are teaming up to organize a peaceful protest in response to the verdict in the beating death of illegal immigrant Luis Ramirez. The organizers of the protest say they also want to meet with the U.S. Attorney's office to talk about the possibility of filing federal charges. I will be publishing the dates/times of the Peaceful Protest in Shenandoah as soon as they become available.

References:

MALDEF Petitition for Justice for Luis Ramirez

FBI probes Shenandoah cops; state police on standby to patrol if necessary

Jurors Argue Over Beating Death Deliberations

Protest Planned In Shenandoah

Piekarsky = 1 vs American Public = 100, America Supports Justice for Ramirez!

I have been researching blogs and discussion forums all day. The consensus is 100 to 1 in favor of Justice for Ramirez. The vast majority believe the murderers should be held accountable for the death of Luis Ramirez. I have studied blogs, newsgroups, discussion forums and it is all the same. The vast majority believe the all-white biased jury was WRONG in their decision to dismiss charges against the murderous Piekarsky and Donchak.

The vast majority of Americans support:

1. the DOJ filing Hate Crime charges against Piekarsky and Donchak

2. the Ramirez family filing a civil lawsuit against them

It is heartening to know the vast majority of Americans, over 90%, believe Justice was denied in the Ramirez murder case and advocate the DOJ seeks Federal charges and the family files a civil lawsuit against Piekarsky and Donchak. Sites from CNN, MSNBC, ABC comment sections, Huffington Post, DailyKos, to numerous independent blogs to numerous forums and newsgroups to many Facebook/Myspace blogs/tweets, ALL ADVOCATE for JUSTICE for Luis Ramirez!!

Here is just a small sampling:

. Such a sad day for America.My condolences to the victims family.

. Don't hate crimes fall under Federal jurisdiction & not state? Perhaps for this very reason?

. these teenagers were drunk and under the legal drinking age. I guess it's fine for them to act "mature" and drink irresponsibly, even if they kill someone while under the influence?

. I guess Mexicans/Immigrants are the new "Black". I wish I was surprised but not after reading what state/city it happened in. Stay classy Shenandoah, PA.

. Somewhere in this process the prosecutor and more likely the judge did not properly instruct the jury of what their responsibilities were relative to how they were to apply the facts to their process of decision making.I hope that the jury and the community eventually realize what harm they have done to the justice system of their town and to the nation.

. Now, the reason I consider your comments racist, full of bigotry and completely insensitive to the case at hand, is you've done nothing but make assumptions and heap all blame possible upon the Mexican victim.

. It's pretty clear that they've goaded him, he's tried to call for help. 6 drunken football players.

. Justice has been far from served.

This is just a small number of examples. However, it is very heartening to know the vast majority of True Americans believe Justice was NOT served, the jury was biased and the young murderers did, in fact, get away with murder. They also believe the DOJ should now step in and charge them for a Federal Crime! They are NOT like the Hate sites or like the local Shenandoah comment sections at all!!

Just reading their heartfelt concerns reminds me that America, overall, by vast majority, is, in fact, a Land of Welcoming Immigrants! Land of the Free! And the Home of the Brave!

God Bless America!

FIRE NAZI Shock Jock Jay Severin!

BREAKING NEWS: Severin to Stay Suspended!! (see update in Red below)
Jay Severin, a right wing shock jock desperate for ratings, has been suspended by WTKK-FM in Boston. Severin, in attempting to pander to racist/extremist members of his audience, utilized the most derogatory remarks to describe Mexicans/Latinos.

In describing Mexicans, he used the words: “lowest of primitives,” “leeches,” and “criminaliens” while talking about the swine flu. Severin called one of Mexico’s leading exports “women with mustaches and VD,” said Mexicans have poor hygiene, do not vaccinate their kids, don’t speak English and “retard” U.S. schools. (see video)

Severin utilized the same hatefilled tactics against Mexicans as propogandists in Nazi Germany used against the Jews: dehumanization of the enemy.

Sources within Greater Media, which owns the station Severin works for, has said their management has been dissatisfied with the “hateful” tone his show has taken. One source said Severin had been warned in the past.

If he doesn't get fired for this, what do you get fired for?

LATE BREAKING NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: Monday, 5/4/09

"WTKK and Greater Media value an open and vigorous dialogue, but we also strongly adhere to basic principles of civility, common decency and respect for all cultures. We believe Jay's suspension is the best way to uphold both of these corporate policies. WTKK Management met with Jay Severin and his agent today. He will continue to remain on suspension until further notice."

References:

Jay Severin, agent to discuss future with WTKK

Radio big-mouth’s bigotry shows Archie Bunker mentality

Shenandoah, PA under Gestapo Rule: People who oppose Acquittal Do Not Speak Out for Fear of Repercussions!

Brandon Piekarsky's mother's boyfriend, Officer Hayes, patrolled the streets of Shenandoah Friday night with his partner, baton in hand, ready to pounce, in case anyone protested the Acquittal of "Kick in the head" murderer Piekarsky. Followers of the trial may recall Hayes colluded and coached Piekarsky to bring the "boys" together and "get their stories straight" after the murder. With Hayes and his partner goose-stepping the streets, Shenandoah Police said they had no reports of incidents related to the verdict.

Cynthia Riddick, who moved to Shenandoah from Allentown with her three children in 2006, said Shenandoah Valley school administrators sent out electronic phone calls warning that anyone who protested would be punished. Somehow the administration knew in advance the all white jury would acquit their "boys." Riddick also said police made a ''show of force'' Friday night, standing uptown to discourage trouble. One can only imagine the fear in the hearts of all those opposed to the wrongful acquittal when they saw Hayes patrolling the city streets in full battle attire. Riddick said she thought the verdict was ''terrible'' and had people of color been on trial for beating a white person, ''I think they would be in prison right now, convicted of everything.'' Few people are speaking out for fear of ''repercussions,'' she said.

Jeremy Knorr, another Shenandoah resident, said the community remains split, and while there is quiet now, he expects there eventually will be ''a big fight in town. There's going to be a riot.'' Loretta Lipsett, 30, who is of Puerto Rican descent, said race relations have soured since Ramirez's death, and her 7-year-old daughter has been teased by other children because of her dark complexion. ''I just tell her to walk away,'' Lipsett said.

Gladys Limon, an attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said the acquittal was a complete outrage. ''This was murder. Luis Ramirez was murdered. A father, a son, a brother, a partner was murdered. The message the verdict sends is you can kill a person, you can stomp on their head until the person dies, based on their national heritage.'' Limon, who attended the five-day trial with Crystal Dillman of Shenandoah, who had two children with Ramirez, said the Los Angeles-based MALDEF, ''urges the Department of Justice to continue their prosecution of these individuals.'' The Justice Department has acknowledged it has an open investigation in the case, but has declined to be specific. Another teen who was with Donchak and Piekarsky that night but wasn't charged, Ben Lawson, testified at the trial Monday he has been a witness in the case before a federal grand jury in Scranton. Grand jury testimony is secret.

Not all on the jury supported acquittal. Jury foreman Eric Macklin of Schuylkill Haven said he was the lone holdout when the jury voted 11-1 for acquittal after deliberating just two hours, but voted with the others six hours later because he felt there was reasonable doubt as to the teens' guilt. He did believe the accused were racists. Annette Holopirek, who was among the four alternate jurors dismissed said ''I think there's guilt involved.''

When the verdicts were read, the locals in the audience cheered for the defendants getting away with their racist attack and murder. No remorse was shown for the man that they knowingly killed, and kicked while he lay unconscious on the ground. There was no justice for Luis Ramirez or his children. In Shenandoah, the town just doesn't care what their racist hooligans do in the streets when the lights go out.

Reference:

Hispanic group: Verdict is an 'outrage'

Justice Denied: All White Local Jury Acquits Murderous Kicker Piekarsky of Murder Charge!

Justice has been denied! An All-White Local Jury, loaded with friends and acquaintances of the murderous defendants, acquitted the murderous kicker Piekarsky and the brass-knuckled aggressor Donchak of the serious murder charges. Instead, the biased jury merely slapped their "boys" on the hand by delivering a misdemeanor simple assault charge.

The prosecutors case was strong. Colin Walsh was the strongest and most credible witness. The night of the assault against Ramirez, Walsh stood immediately next to Piekarsky as he delivered that final kick to the head and Walsh testified to these facts in court. Brian Scully, another eye-witness, testified to the same.

The Jury foreman Eric Macklin said, "'I think it's absolutely horrible what happened to Luis Ramirez. I was very, very close to finding them both guilty on every serious count, but due to the evidence presented, I was not sure beyond a reasonable doubt. I do believe that all four boys involved are racists.'' Unfortunately the eleven other jurors were quick to vote dismissal of ALL of the charges for the defendants and soon overpowered the testimony-focused Macklin.

Piekarsky and Donchak KNOW they got away with murder. The LIVE BLOG reported that Piekarsky was JUBILANT when the all-white jury brought back their verdict. Murderer Piekarsky was laughing and jumping for joy with his getting one over on the Justice System.

As the jury was deliberating, outside, on the local city streets, friends of the defendants and the crooked cops were patrolling the area close to the courthouse.

Comment from LIVE BLOG:

10:06: [Comment From pizza ]I was just in Shenandoah (downtown) - lots of kids and lots of police presence...Officer Moyer, Officer Gennarini and Officer Hayes (two of which were involved in this trial.)

Heaven help any minorities in that racist town with the likes of Moyer and Hayes on the street. Hayes, as you may recall from the testimony, is Piekarsky's mom's boyfriend. He assisted Piekarsky with the LYING Cover Story. Piekarsky was instructed to bring all the boys together to "get their story straight." And, according to testimony, that is exactly what Piekarsky did. Now, Hayes is patrolling the streets. God SAVE any Latinos in that town if Hayes is patrolling the streets. Given the testimony, I don't know why he hasn't been charged with corruption.

The local blogs are rife with racist and deplorable remarks including:

. sick shiet wrote: our founding fathers killed plenty of brits to get them out our country---and they spoke the same language!

. berks iraq vet wrote: If he would not have broken US Immigration Laws he'd still be alive.

. disgusted wrote: The only good illegal alien is a dead illegal alien. Deporting them does not work because they're back here - breaking the laws and stealing our jobs - within a few short weeks. These guys merely did what our criminal justice system and our government should be doing to protect us, but don't.

. sick shiet wrote: GRACIOUS FOR TELLING THEM MEXICANS IN MEXICO CITY.gringos need more americans like you to tell them mexicans in mexico city and tijuana---that's why those two scumbag towns have the swine flu to begin with, and all the mexican drug cartel murders.mexican heroin-cocaine cartel is nothing but losers, scum, and killers!

. b lew gumbs wrote: Those jurors, except the poosey foreman, are to be commended. They stood strong in the face of the whiney liberal loser threats of rioting and pillaging (which is what they do best), and delivered a just verdict.The worthless, pedophile, illegal got real justice, not some academic Obamaesque version.

. jim chunk wrote: Cinco De Mayo in Shenandoah should be fun to watch!

. skeeter wrote: The skunk got what he deserved. Good job Shenandoah.

. sick shiet wrote: YES----BLACKS AND LATINO CRIMINALS SHOULD FINALLY, FINALLY, BE PUT IN JAIL...NO JESSE HYMIE TOWN JACKSON NONSENSE.

. fatboy2 wrote: Here is another silly story. I grew up in Philly. There are many parts on Philly a white man should not be in broad daylight let alone at night. I am walking through with my arm around a 12 year old all happy because we are headed to do the deed. As we walk arm in arm past a basketball court were 4 teens are drinking 40s and smoking a blunt one of them yells out "Hey little girl shouldn't you be in bed?" and another yells out hey Fatboy shouldn't you be at Jenny Craig?" I am furious and rip off my shirt and go charging in and one of them stabs me and I die. Isn't that just Darwin's way of weeding out the mentally challenged?

. coaltrain: God bless you good folks up there in coal country!! Somebody buy them boys a beer.

---------------------------

The DANGER with this verdict is these types of crimes will continue. The racist HATE Criminals will know they can kill Latinos and not worry about suffering any significant penalty for their murderous acts. As you can see, with this verdict, the local comment sections are spewing hate towards all Latinos. (It is ALL Latinos because in their hate-filled eyes, ALL Latinos fit the racial profile of an illegal immigrant.) You can see the scandalous lies passed around by the Shock Jocks like Dobbs and Beck including "illegal immigrants spread the swine flu, and all Latinos are members of drug cartels." The "dirty cops" just complicate the situation for those in Schuylkill county. What protections do any Latinos living in that area have? With Moyers and Hayes, based on the testimony, it is obvious! None!!

The only hope for the end of these HATE CRIMES is to ensure the criminals are held accountable for their crimes. That is the only way they will stop. It is imperative that the DOJ continues to investigate the Federal Charges and also look into Corruption charges for Hayes. They may also want to investigate the Jury for their bias. Are there questions in the jury selection questionnaire they LIED about? We know about the Driver's Ed Teacher alternate. But how close were the eleven (not including the foreman) to the defendants? I believe the DOJ should and MUST investigate and initiate charges where warranted!

LIVE BLOG 5/01/09: "Kick In The Head" Murder Trial Underway - Piekarsky and Donchak - Ramirez Murder

UPDATE: VERDICT IN --
1. Piekarsky: guilty of simple assault. Acquitted on all other charges.
Kicker Piekarsky Jubilant!
2. Donchak: guilty of simple assault, and 3 charges each for corruption of minors and selling/furnishing alcohol to minors, acquitted on all other charges.
NO JUSTICE! MURDERERS ONLY Slightly slapped on the hand for murdering a young father by brutally kicking him in the head as he lay unconcsious! And the KILLER is JUBILANT!

The Ramirez (Kick in the Head) Murder Trial began Monday 4/27/09, and continues today. The Republican/Herald is running a LIVE Blog. They have a reporter in the courtroom who is sending summarized updates which I am posting to this blog.
The Prosecution and Defense deliver their Closing Arguments.
Friday, 5/01: (all times Eastern)
8:37: Piekarsky and Donchak have arrived in the courthouse.
9:03: Markosky (Donchak's lawyer) begins closing arguments for defense. Markosky: Redmond is the only one who was sober and did not change his initial statement. Markosky: Redmond said Donchak didn't arrive until after the initial exchange of comments. Markosky: "make no mistake: those two (Donchak and Ramirez) engaged in a fist fight." Markosky: There was no metal, and Donchak's involvement ended when he pulled Ramirez to his feet after their altercation. Markosky: testimony says Donchak and Ramirez grabbed each other--tough to do with a weapon in hand. Markosky: no testimony puts the weapon in Donchak's hands at the scene. Markosky on Walsh and Scully: "they want others to take the fall for their actions." Markosky on "Border Patrol" shirt: "a t-shirt is not an expression of what that person believes. It's a t-shirt." Markosky: I didn't question many of the witnesses because they didn't mention Donchak. Markosky: it was Donchak who called the police--you don't do that if you're guilty.
9:38: Fanelli (Piekarsky's lawyer) begins closing statement. Fanelli: prosecution "shaped" evidence to fit their story of racially motivated crime. Fanelli: prosecution alleged "sophisticated cover-up" but called no investigating officers. Fanelli: no testimony said Piekarsky used slurs. Fanelli: prosecution was rude on cross-exam to police in open court--imagine the pressure the kids they called must have felt. Fanelli: Schlack's testimony said a beating, but her 911 tape said fighting "each other". Fanelli: prosecution did not call Arielle Garcia, who saw white shoes on kicker. Fanelli: "not calling the eyewitness...is that in helping you determine the truth?" Both defense lawyers have spoken about responsibility for one's actions, mentioning Ramirez attacking after the boys walked away. Fanelli: Lawson was scared too--he'd drank, lied to police, and beat on the Garcias vehicle. Fanelli: "Ben Lawson would blame that desk if he thought that's what he was supposed to do." Fanelli working to discredit some of the boys in the group. Fanelli: Scully was first at the police station the next day; "his plan from day 1 was to distance himself from all of this". Fanelli on Scully: "this is the same kid who told an FBI agent 'shred one of my statements'". Fanelli: Walsh had charges dropped in return for testifying about Piekarsky's and Donchak's involvement. Fanelli: Arielle Garcia on white shoes: "it's a picture that plays out in my mind". Fanelli: Arielle's 911 tape said "someone kicked him in the face...I know the names". Fanelli: Garcia said "you killed him" to Scully and does not recall a denial. Fanelli: prosecution "didn't call the cops to testify, they attacked the cops when they testified." Fanelli: Bollinger told us "it's in my report, you go figure it out" yet was a a paid prosecution consultant and met with them 7 to 9 times. Fanelli: it was implied Shen. cops were "in on it", yet D.A. Office was on case at 2:30 a.m. and started interviews at 9 a.m. Fanelli: it's unfair that Det. Carroll didn't have eyewitnesses examine the shoes. Fanelli: "You know that the key to their freedom is in Brian Scully's bedroom, and you don't go and get it?" Fanelli: "There is not only reasonable doubt in this case--there is overwhelming doubt." Fanelli to jurors: would you decide something important in your life based on testimony by Scully, Walsh and Lawson? Fanelli's final point: if you think it is possible Scully kicked Ramirez, there is reasonable doubt.
Recess until 11:10 a.m. Defense's closing arguments ran nearly as long as the entirety of its' direct examination.
Note: The item in question in Scully's bedroom was the shoes.
11:14: Frantz delivering closing arguments for the prosecution. Frantz: defense's version of events is "fiction." Frantz: this case is not about boys who were concerned for Roxanne Rector--Scully's comments were "sarcastic". Frantz: Ramirez called for help, not back-up--a husband who tried to break up the fight and wife who broke down on the stand. Frantz: BB gun was a red herring; this is not about self-defense. Frantz: "We got the right guy." Frantz: we have walked jury through evidence puzzle "piece by piece by piece until you saw the picture".
Sent to Jury
(video footage)
8:42pm: Fatigue is starting to set in for members of the press and public who have been at the courthouse since 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
9:01pm: liveblogrh: Six hours have passed since the jury began its deliberations.
10:07: liveblogrh: Jury recalled for a question--they asked Baldwin to go over the charge of reckless endangerment.
10:30: liveblogrh: The jurors returned for another question, and Baldwin again explained the definition of ethnic intimidation.
10:31: liveblogrh: Sources are starting to buzz about a verdict coming tonight.
10:39: liveblogrh: Verdict is in.
10:48: liveblogrh: Piekarsky: guilty of simple assault. Acquited on all other charges.
10:50: liveblogrh: Donchak: guilty of simple assault, and 3 charges each for corruption of minors and selling/furnishing alcohol to minors, all others acquitted. Note: Consumption of liquor by a minor is a summary offense and Baldwin will rule.
10:53: liveblogrh: Both ethnic intimidation charges and Piekarsky's criminal homicide charges were dropped.
11:06: liveblogrh: The defendants had no comment. Donchak's eyes seemed watery, Pierkarsky was jubilant. liveblogrh: Look for comments from Fanelli, Goodman and the jury foreperson in our wrap-up article.
11:14: liveblogrh: This concludes tonight's coverage and the trial as a whole. Thank you for following our live coverage this week.

May 1 Mayday Marches Across the Nation

May Day Demonstrations For Immigration Reform In Several Cities

Immigration marches are planned for several cities on May Day to encourage the Obama Administration and Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrant advocates are persuading the president to follow through on campaign promises to reform the nation’s immigration system. They also want a stop to ICE raids and deportations.

Students, who are praying that the first phase of immigration reform passes with the DREAM Act bill currently before Congress, know that a public march underscores to government leaders how seriously people are taking the issue of immigration reform.