Seven teens accused in hate crime stabbing

PATCHOGUE, N.Y., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Arraignment proceedings were Monday in New York for seven teenagers accused in the fatal hate crime stabbing of a Hispanic man.

Suffolk County authorities said the motive for the Saturday night attack against Marcello Lucero, 37, of Patchogue, N.Y., was that the teens simply wanted to beat up someone who looked Hispanic, Long Island's Newsday reports.

"These individuals told detectives that they were looking to beat someone of Latino heritage," said Detective Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick, commander of the homicide squad.

The attack occurred near the Long Island Rail Road station in Patchoque.

Police say the teens jumped out of a car and cornered two men on the street.

One of the men managed to escape unharmed and called police who found Lucero covered in blood when they arrived at the scene. He was pronounced dead at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital.