Los Angeles, Alta California
July 25, 2008
Charges finally filed in the hate
killing of Mexican immigrant
The Schuylkill County District Attorney James Goodman announced this morning
at a press conference that his office has charged three Shenandoah, PA youths in
the beating death of 25 year old Luis Ramirez of Guanajauto, Mexico. Two juveniles were charged as adults with murder and a third adult with aggravated assault. James Goodman said that he expects to refer a fourth youth, which he did not name, to juvenile court. No information was provided on two other individuals that according to witnesses participated in the racially motivated killing.
Charged with murder, as an adult, is 16 year old Brandon Piekarsky. Piekarsky
is also charged with criminal solicitation to hinder apprehension or prosecution which is a very interesting charge considering how long it took to arrest and.
charge him and the others.
Also charged with murder as an adult is 17 year old Colin Walsh. Both Piekarsky and Walsh are presently incarcerated at the Schuylkill County Prison without bail.
A third person, Derrick Donchak, age 18, was charged with aggravated assault. Donchak was also charged with criminal solicitation to hinder apprehension or prosecution. All three, Piekarsky, Walsh and Donchack have been scheduled
for a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. on August 4 before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker in Shenandoah.
There are many questions that need to be answered concerning this heinous killing. Why did it take 13 days to arrest and charge the alleged killers? Why was the Shenandoah Borough Police Department rude to 17 year old Arielle Garcia and her husband Victor, who were trying to protect the victim, instead of pursuing, the criminals as they fled? This is a case that urgently needs the close monitoring of the US Department of Justice and of the entire Mexican/Latino community.
Related La Voz de Aztlan reports:
Racist Whites kill another undocumented Mexican immigrant
Witness to beating death of Mexican immigrant by Whites interviewed
