Update: September 1, 2010: Kevin Shea, a Long Island man who admitted punching Marcelo Lucero in the face before the Ecuadorean immigrant was fatally stabbed, was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Update: May 27, 2010: Jeffrey Conroy was sentenced to 25 years in prison, the maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime.

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New York, NY, April 19, 2010 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today applauded the guilty verdict in the case of an Ecuadorean immigrant murdered on Long Island.

The defendant, Jeffrey Conroy, was convicted of first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime in connection with the November 2008 stabbing death of Marcello Lucero in Patchogue, NY.

Ron Meier, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:   

The jury's guilty verdict sends a strong message to the community that violence against immigrants and those perceived to be immigrants is unacceptable and will be severely punished.

 

The tragic murder of Marcello Lucero was a clear hate crime, and we commend the jury for recognizing the role that hatred played in the attack.  The defendant was part of a group that explicitly sought out Hispanics for violence.

                       

We applaud the prosecutors for pursuing hate crime charges in this case.           

ADL previously testified before both the Suffolk County Legislature and Suffolk County Hate Crimes Task Force regarding the Lucero murder and the growing atmosphere of bigotry and violence against those perceived to be immigrants.