Mourners Grieve for Slain Immigrant

Man was victim of hate crime, police say

Dozens of mourners have gathered at a Long Island church to pay respects to an Ecuadorean immigrant killed in what authorities are calling a hate crime.

A viewing was held for Marcelo Lucero in Patchogue Saturday evening, with a memorial service to follow. His body is to be flown to Ecuador for burial.

The 37-year-old was stabbed to death in Patchogue Nov. 8. Prosecutors say seven teenagers attacked him because he was Hispanic.

A grand jury has indicted the seven, but the charges are sealed until a state Supreme Court arraignment. No date has been set.

The teens pleaded not guilty in local district court to a preliminary charge of gang assault. A 17-year-old accused of inflicting the fatal blow also was charged in district court with manslaughter as a hate crime.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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