Thaindian News

April 20, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): 19-year-old teenager, Jeffrey Conroy, was found culpable of perpetrating a hate crime in the slaying of an Ecuadorian national. He faces eight to 25 years in incarceration on the manslaughter charge, with the sentencing scheduled for May 26.

Conroy was one of seven teenagers indicted in connection with Lucero’s slaying. However, he was the only one who faced murder and manslaughter charges. Four defendants before pleaded guilty to gang assault in relation with the killing. Two others are awaiting trial.

William Keahon, legal representative of Conroy, was justifiably despondent. He expounded that he would launch an appeal against the decision. He further articulated that, sometimes, guiltless young men and women are convicted of a felony they did not execute. That is why there exists an appeals procedure. Keahon desires to appeal immediately.

The judgment was greeted by the victim’s family, who hailed the prosecution as a model for future hate-crime cases. Lucero’s brother, Joselo, declared that it is a message for the rest of the world that hate crimes can’t happen. Joselo, who was present at every court appearance, has pronounced that his brother had to pay a heavy and brutal price to supply relief for a lot of people in this nation.

The verdict concludes an extremely charged trial, which commenced with jury selection on March 2.