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!

The TRUTH Finally Comes Out Re: Kick In the Head Murder of Luis Ramirez!

The racial anger and hate which motivated the skull cracking violence that killed murder victim Luis Ramirez is revealed in the testimony at the Federal Hate Crime Trial of Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak. What is also revealed is the Racist Cover Up by Local Law Enforcement.
This is what I've been reporting since the crime occurred! Ramirez was MURDERED in a vicious HATE CRIME against Latinos! And the CORRUPT Local Police COVERED IT UP!
One only wonders how often these types of crimes are repeated, day after day across America. It is good that the TRUTH has finally come out! Perhaps Luis Ramirez and his children will FINALLY RECEIVE JUSTICE!
The Scranton Times Tribune reports: ...Colin Walsh (one of Piekarsky & Donchak's accompanying football players) said after the (Luis Ramirez) beating Brandon Piekarsky told him that "he kicked the guy (Luis) so hard his shoes flew off." Ariell Garcia, another witness at the scene who saw Luis Ramirez lying on the ground, began to cry when she was asked about the kick to the head. "It was like a muffled crack," she said. Her husband, Victor Garcia, said Mr. Ramirez had called him on a cell phone that night, saying "I'm getting beat up. Come back."

About 20 minutes earlier, Mr. Garcia said he had dropped Mr. Ramirez and his girlfriend off at a nearby park. In the background, Mr. Garcia said he heard voices yelling, "Mexican, spic." Mr. Garcia said he tried to break up the fight when he got back to the park until someone threw a punch at him. "People were still trying to kick him, stomp him," Mr. Garcia said. He said he saw Mr. Ramirez get kicked in the head and watched the group of young men run away. He tried to "wake up" Mr. Ramirez, who had foam coming out of his mouth.

When police began arriving on the scene, Mr. Garcia said he told them which way the teens had run. He said the police told him to take everything out of his pockets. "But they never went after the kids," Mr. Garcia said.

CORRUPT POLICE COVER-UP:
There was other testimony about (cover-up) steps the police took in the days after the fatal beating. Julia Mickalowski, the mother of Brian Scully, one of the young men at the scene that night, said she received a phone call from Lt. William Moyer, telling her that if her son had gray blue sneakers to "get rid of them."

The small-town nature of Shenandoah has surfaced in other testimony involving Mr. Piekarsky's mother, who was a friend of then-Police Chief Matthew Nestor and was dating one of the officers, Patrolman Jason Hayes. Mr. Hayes, who is no longer a police officer, stopped Mr. Donchak and Mr. Piekarsky while they were running from the scene that night. Mr. Nestor, Mr. Hayes and former Lt. William Moyer are scheduled to stand trial in January in federal court for their roles in the alleged cover-up.

After the beating (murder), Mr. Walsh said Mr. Piekarsky joked with his friends about getting a Hispanic name tattooed on their bodies, and they hatched a story they would tell police, one that would exclude any references to racial slurs being uttered that night or kicking him. Mr. Walsh recalled a visit he had received from then Lt. Moyer at his house. He said Mr. Moyer "asked if I talked with my friends." "You know what I mean?" the officer said before leaving, adding, "Good luck, buddy," Mr. Walsh testified.


Defense attorney James A. Swetz, representing Mr. Piekarsky, quizzed Mr. Walsh on the plea agreement he signed in the federal case against him. Mr. Walsh said he had been told he could receive a nine-year prison sentence but hopes to receive only four years. Prosecutors have offered to seek a reduced sentence in exchange for his cooperation against Mr. Donchak and Mr. Piekarsky. Though he has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime, Mr. Walsh said he does not believe what he did that night was motivated by racial hate on his part. He said he believes racial hate was behind the beating inflicted on Mr. Ramirez by Mr. Donchak and Mr. Piekarsky

The trial resumes Tuesday morning. The courthouse is closed Monday for the Columbus Day Holiday.

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 Trial of Piekarsky & Donchak set for October 4, 2010 in Scranton, PA

Brandon J. Piekarsky and Derrick M. Donchak, charged by Federal Prosecutors with a Hate Crime in connection with the July 2008 "Kick in the Head" death of Luis Ramirez, will be tried in Scranton instead of their hometown Wilkes-Barre, a judge ruled last Thursday. In 2009, both were given only 6 month sentences by their hometown jury for the murder.

Both Piekarsky and Donchak will be tried in October in Courtroom 1 of the William J. Nealon Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo ruled in a one-sentence order. Caputo, who is presiding over the trial, did not explain the reason for the change. Caputo did not change the scheduled start of the trial, which is 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4.
Donchak, 20, of Shenandoah, and Piekarsky, 18, of Shenandoah Heights, are each charged with a HATE CRIME due to their alleged "Kick in the Head" beating and hurling of Racial slurs in the July 12, 2008, beating of Latino Luis Ramirez on West Lloyd Street, Shenandoah. Donchak also is charged with obstruction of justice.

Ramirez, 25, of Shenandoah, died two days after the "Kick in the Heat" beating and head injuries at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Kick in the Head Hate Crime Murder Trial Scheduled - October 4, 2010

Republican Herald reports:

Derrick M. Donchak, 20, of Shenandoah, and Brandon J. Piekarsky, 18, of Shenandoah Heights, must appear at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4 in Courtroom 3 of the Max Rosenn United States Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre, for the start of their trial, which could put each behind bars for life. U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo, who is presiding over the case, issued an order Thursday in which he scheduled the start of the trial and gave each defendant until May 15 to file pretrial motions and supporting briefs. Caputo ruled the interests of justice justified extending the time for filing such motions and briefs.

The federal trial is for the beating of Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala. Donchak and Piekarsky are each charged with a HATE CRIME in connection with the fatal beating of Ramirez, 25, of Shenandoah, on July 12, 2008, on a borough street. Donchak also faces charges of obstruction of justice in connection with the beating.

Three former Shenandoah police officers, Matthew R. Nestor, William Moyer and Jason Hayes, also face charges in connection with allegedly obstructing the investigation of Ramirez's beating. Nestor, Moyer and Hayes were police chief, lieutenant and officer, respectively. In an unrelated case, Nestor and former Shenandoah police captain Jamie Gennarini are charged with extorting money from illegal gambling operations in the borough. All four former police officers have resigned their positions with the borough. Like Donchak and Piekarsky, they are on home detention pending the starts of their trials.

Luis Ramirez's Kick in the Head Murderer Granted Parole!

Derrick Donchak, the man who witnesses said wore brass knuckles when he sucker punched Luis Ramirez in the head, knocking him unconscious, so Brandon Piekarsky could deliver the final kick to the head, has been granted parole! This "cute" murderer has "learned his lesson in only 3 months".... for MURDER!! This is the same Derrick Donchak that dressed as a Border Patrol Agent after the murder and while he awaited trial, at a Halloween Party! He posted these pictures on his MySpace page! This is the same Derrick Donchak that was placed in "solitary confinement for misbehavior" for two months after misbehaving his 1st month in prison. The judge said he "learned his lesson" over the next three months??? Then granted him parole????
I wonder how many Latinos the Judge has released early, after only 3 months, saying he KNOWS they learned their lesson! This JUDGE is truly biased!
Let's hope the HATE CRIME charges move forward for both Donchak and Piekarsky. Luis Ramirez and his children deserve Justice!
Republican Herald reports:
Derrick M. Donchak can go home, a Schuylkill County judge ruled Tuesday in paroling him on charges stemming from the fatal beating of an illegal Mexican immigrant in July 2008 in Shenandoah. After a 30-minute hearing, Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin granted parole to Donchak, 20, of Shenandoah, saying he had changed his behavior after being placed in solitary confinement for more than two months for violating county prison rules.

"You have demonstrated that you learned a lesson in the last three months," Baldwin told Donchak, who was clad in a prison jumpsuit, handcuffs, leg shackles and a belt. However, Baldwin warned Donchak that he must follow the rules of his parole or face more prison time. "You have shown a complete lack of sensitivity," Baldwin warned Donchak. "If that attitude reappears, you'll be back in there pretty fast."

A prison spokesman said late Tuesday afternoon that Donchak already had been released.

Donchak said little while being led out of the courtroom after the hearing, replying, "Yes, sir," when asked if he would follow the rules and spend more time with his family. During the hearing, he said the misconduct was not is fault. "What happened with the write-up was a case of mistaken identity," he testified. "I was sleeping."
Prison officials, however, found that Donchak participated in "fishing" on Aug. 29 by accepting contraband - in his case, deodorant - dropped into his cell by a sheet attached to a long rope.
"He jumped up and started yelling and cursing," corrections officer William Schweikert testified. Prison officials found him guilty of insolence, giving a false statement and refusing to obey an order, and placed him in solitary confinement for 70 days.

Earlier in August, Donchak had been confined to his cell for 24 hours due to having contraband - in this case plastic forks and spoons and an excessive number of styrofoam cups - in there, according to corrections officer David Carduff. Prosecutors had opposed Donchak's parole due to the violations. "There have been multiple misconducts," Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina argued to Baldwin. "We believe the defendant hasn't demonstrated he's capable of abiding by rules." Serina declined to comment on the parole after the hearing.

Donchak served the minimum seven months of the prison term Baldwin imposed on him after he was convicted on May 1, 2009, after a five-day trial of simple assault and alcohol-related offenses in connection with the July 12, 2008, beating of Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala on a Shenandoah street. Ramirez, 25, of Shenandoah, died two days later at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Donchak's co-defendant, Brandon J. Piekarsky, 18, of Shenandoah Heights, also was convicted of simple assault and alcohol-related offenses in connection with Ramirez's beating. Baldwin sentenced him to six months and seven days to 23 months in prison. Piekarsky already has been paroled.

Both Donchak and Piekarsky face federal hate crime charges and potential life sentences in connection with Ramirez's death. In that case, U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo on Tuesday granted Donchak until April 1 to file pre-trial motions, and said he would schedule the trial after ruling on them. Piekarsky on Tuesday asked for a similar extension; Caputo has not yet ruled on that request.
Donchak's release from the county prison means he can go home, although he will stay there on home detention pursuant to Caputo's Jan. 13 order allowing him to be released before trial. Piekarsky also is free from prison on home detention pending trial.
In a related case, Matthew R. Nestor, William Moyer and Jason Hayes, former Shenandoah police chief, lieutenant and officer, respectively, face federal charges for allegedly obstructing the investigation of the Ramirez beating. Caputo on Friday granted them additional time to file pre-trial motions and indicated he would schedule their trial after ruling on any motions that are filed.

Breaking News: Brandon Piekarsky (Luis Ramirez - Kick in the Head Murder) May Be Released from Prison Tomorrow!

Brandon Piekarsky, the football jock accused of delivering the final kick to the head of unconscious Luis Ramirez, may be getting out of prison as soon as tomorrow!
UPDATE: Brandon Piekarsky was released Tuesday and is now staying with his grandmother in Shenandoah. Under the terms of that restriction, he cannot leave the home except for work; education; religious services; medical, substance abuse or mental health treatment and visits with his lawyer in Stroudsburg.
WNEP Reports:
One of two teenagers waiting to go to trial on federal hate crime charges in connection with the 2008 beating death of a Mexican immigrant in Shenandoah may be let out of jail but under certain conditions. A federal judge ruled that Brandon Piekarsky will be released from jail once the probation department checks out where he will stay: his grandmother's and uncle's apartment in Shenandoah.

His lawyer hopes Piekarsky is out of jail as soon as Tuesday. Piekarsky's mother had nothing to say Monday after a federal judge in Scranton ruled her son could be released from prison. Piekarsky is awaiting a federal trial on hate crime charges in connection with the 2008 beating death of Mexican immigrant Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah. Piekarsky is accused (by team-mate Walsh) of delivering the deadly kick to Ramirez and helping concoct a cover-up story with police (Mother's boyfriend, Officer Moyer). The government argued that since Piekarsky faces life in prison he now has a greater incentive to try to obstruct justice but the judge said, "Everyone has the right to be released when charged with a crime."

There are some condition's to Piekarsky's release. He has to stay with relatives, not his mother because investigators believe she may have played a role in the cover-up. Also Piekarsky must wear an electronic monitoring device.

The judge said Piekarsky is not a flight risk but added, "One mistake and you're back in that costume." Derrick Donchak remains in prison, also facing federal trial.

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.