PLAINFIELD, N.J., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Authorities prosecuting five men accused of killing a Guatemalan immigrant in New Jersey have tacked on additional charges under the state's hate crime statute.
Murder and robbery charges alone could put brothers Gregory, Willie, Wayne and Justin Greene, and their friend Muhammad Glasper, who range in age from 17 to 21, behind for up to 30 years if they are convicted in the fatal 2007 attack on 45-year-old landscaper Lazaro Tista of North Plainfield. The hate crime counts could double the penalty, The (Newark) Star-Ledger reported Sunday.
The defendants, who also are named in a civil lawsuit filed by Tista's family, are scheduled to be back in court for a hearing Nov. 13.
One of the defendants allegedly hit and killed Tista with an aluminum baseball bat, Union County assistant prosecutor Michael Henn said. One of the assailants allegedly admitted they were "Papi-hunting," prompting the addition of the hate crime counts, Henn said. Papi is a Spanish reference for Hispanic male.
Hispanic advocate, Flor Gonzalez, hopes for a bias conviction in this case to bring attention to what she sees as anti-immigrant sentiment in Plainfield.
