L.I. Teen Says Accused Friend Stabbed Immigrant

A teenager says a friend accused of a hate crime in the killing of an Ecuadorean immigrant on Long Island admitted to the stabbing moments after it occurred.

Nicholas Hausch testified Monday in the trial of Jeffrey Conroy.

Prosecutors say Conroy was one of seven teens, including Hausch, who killed Marcelo Lucero on a Patchogue street in November 2008.

Conroy is the only one charged with murder and manslaughter as a hate crime. Prosecutors say he inflicted the fatal blow. He has pleaded not guilty.

Hausch has pleaded guilty to gang assault, conspiracy and other crimes.

Hausch testified that Conroy told him that he and their friends had to leave the scene because he had just stabbed Lucero. On cross-examination, Hausch conceded he never saw Conroy with a knife before the killing and never saw Lucero get stabbed.