http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gtcSK8qaGGVDikaEFhYD_pgjOLrwD9IMFH9G0?docId=D9IMFH9G0
This case follows two men in Pennsylvania, Brandon Piekarsky (18) and Derrick Donchak (20), who murdered a 25 year old Mexican illegal immigrant in July of 2008. They are now charged with a federal hate crime for this attack, where the immigrant, Luis Ramirez, was brawling with a group of white high school athletes until he was finally beaten and kicked to death. The prosecutor is basing the case around racism, saying the defendants stated as they were beating Ramirez, ""Tell your f------ Mexican friends to get the f--- out of Shenandoah!" The defense attorney is trying to steer away from the racial aspect saying the criminals did this because they were young, drunk, and full of testosterone. The defense is trying to plead their case the best they can, but the lopsided 4 on 1 fight with kicks to the head is leading toward a more serious charge than their "simple assault" they originally received.
I believe the media is trying to make this story a little more entertaining. The only reason I think this is because it is the murder of one man by a couple kids and the media is trying to portray it as whether it is a hate crime or not. The media does like to focus on teen murder, but I think if this were not a debate on whether or not it were a hate crime, then it wouldn't even make the news.
I have not heard of this case before, but from reading the details that you have provided, I don't think that this is being used for entertainment. I think the facts are being reported and it is just something that people feel the need to watch, especially if it is something that hits close to home, such as children.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen 'American History X?' This type of homicide is known as "curbing" and is well known in neo-Nazi groups, of which this part of PA has quite a few. I'm not saying that this is what happened, without having more detail, but usually prosecuting as a hate crime only adds a sentence enhancement. Since they're looking at a manslaughter charge anyway I'm not sure what more this will add..
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