Related links
The prosecution has rested in a racially-motivated beating death trial in Schuylkill County. Its case consisted mainly of friends turning on friends.
One after another, four of the six teens there the night of the beating took the stand, testifying against Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak.
The two have now heard the prosecution's case against them. They heard their four friends take the stand and implicate them in the beating death of Luis Ramirez.
Josh Redman said a lot on the stand about what happened on Lloyd Street in Shenandoah last summer. He said Brandon Peikarsky led the group rushing toward Ramirez. He described Donchak fighting and saying racial slurs beforehand. Redman said he didn't see Piekarsky deliver the final kick to an unconcious Ramirez, what prosecutors call the final blow to the head, but Redman testified Piekarsky said the next day he did.
Patholigsts also testified about Luis Ramirez's injuries that led to his death.
Piekarski, 17, is the one on trial for third-degree murder, much more serious than the assault charges Donchak faces.
Pathologists also took the stand Wednesday, detailing Ramirez's key injuries. One was a blow to the back of the head prosecutors said he got that when he fell over backward after a punch and got knocked out.
The other major injury was to the side of the head after Ramirez was unconscious. Pathologists said that certainly could have come from a kick.
"The injuries were caused by trauma to the head. A fall to the back of the head. A kick to the side of the head. They were injuries to the head and that was the cause of Mr. Ramirez's death," said forensic pathologist Dr. Barbara Bollinger.
"Lots of people fall and become unconscious and I think that had a role but I also think the kick had a major role," said forensic pathologist Dr. Isadore Mihalakis.
Arial Garcia also took the stand. She was a friend of Luis Ramirez who was there the night of the fight. She said Ramirez called her and her husband during the fight to come help.
She cried as the 911 call she made that night was played in court as she screamed for help.
She saw a kick to Ramirez's head but doesn't know who did it.
"I cry for the victims and I also cry for the accused," said Hispanic activist Dr. Agapito Lopez of West Hazleton after watching some of the testimony. "Regardless of what the results are at the end of the trial, I know this will live with them forever in their hearts for all the accused."
It has already come out in the trial that one of the teens will serve prison time for his role in the case. Colin Walsh pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges to avoid the trial. He said he expects to servce at least four years. Prosecutors hope Piekarsky and Donchak are next to be punished.
"This is not a thing to be happy about. It is a tragedy. It is a tragedy on both sides. It's a tragedy for the accused and the victim," Dr. Lopez added.
One after another, four of the six teens there the night of the beating took the stand, testifying against Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak.
The two have now heard the prosecution's case against them. They heard their four friends take the stand and implicate them in the beating death of Luis Ramirez.
Josh Redman said a lot on the stand about what happened on Lloyd Street in Shenandoah last summer. He said Brandon Peikarsky led the group rushing toward Ramirez. He described Donchak fighting and saying racial slurs beforehand. Redman said he didn't see Piekarsky deliver the final kick to an unconcious Ramirez, what prosecutors call the final blow to the head, but Redman testified Piekarsky said the next day he did.
Patholigsts also testified about Luis Ramirez's injuries that led to his death.
 |
Pathologists also took the stand Wednesday, detailing Ramirez's key injuries. One was a blow to the back of the head prosecutors said he got that when he fell over backward after a punch and got knocked out.
The other major injury was to the side of the head after Ramirez was unconscious. Pathologists said that certainly could have come from a kick.
|
"Lots of people fall and become unconscious and I think that had a role but I also think the kick had a major role," said forensic pathologist Dr. Isadore Mihalakis.
Arial Garcia also took the stand. She was a friend of Luis Ramirez who was there the night of the fight. She said Ramirez called her and her husband during the fight to come help.
She cried as the 911 call she made that night was played in court as she screamed for help.
She saw a kick to Ramirez's head but doesn't know who did it.
"I cry for the victims and I also cry for the accused," said Hispanic activist Dr. Agapito Lopez of West Hazleton after watching some of the testimony. "Regardless of what the results are at the end of the trial, I know this will live with them forever in their hearts for all the accused."
It has already come out in the trial that one of the teens will serve prison time for his role in the case. Colin Walsh pleaded guilty to federal civil rights charges to avoid the trial. He said he expects to servce at least four years. Prosecutors hope Piekarsky and Donchak are next to be punished.
"This is not a thing to be happy about. It is a tragedy. It is a tragedy on both sides. It's a tragedy for the accused and the victim," Dr. Lopez added.
