Students face new hate-crime charge

RIVERHEAD, N.Y., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Seven high school students in Suffolk County, N.Y., already charged with killing a Hispanic man, were charged Thursday with assaulting another man first.

Prosecutors said the group was on the prowl for Hispanics. They allegedly first went to Medford and then, when they could not find any targets, moved on to Patchogue, Newsday reported.

Marcelo Lucero, an immigrant from Ecuador, was stabbed Nov. 8 in Patchogue. Hector Sierra, 55, of Patchogue told police he was assaulted the same night.

"They punched me twice on the side of my head, then they struck me on the back of the head and I fell in the middle of the street," Sierra said.

Sierra said he was kicked and feared for his life but managed to get away.

Investigators say Jeffrey Conroy, 17, of Medford was Lucero's killer. Conroy is charged with manslaughter as a hate crime, but prosecutors expect to upgrade the charge to murder.

Six other teenagers, all students at Medford-Patchogue High School, were arraigned Thursday with Conroy.