Defense rests its case in Shenandoah Hate Crime Trial

by Gustavo Martinez Contreras
Latina Lista
Posted on October 13, 2010
SCRANTON, PA — After just 45 minutes of testimony, the defense for the two Shenandoah, Pa., men charged with a federal hate crime rested its case.
Derrick M. Donchak, 20, and Brandon J. Piekarsky, 18, face life in prison if found guilty of the charges stemming from the 2008 beating death of 25-year-old Luis Eduardo Ramírez Zavala, an undocumented immigrant.
Today, it took only one witness, Shenandoah and West Mahanoy Police officer Robert Senape, testified that Ariele Garcia identified Bryan Scully as the one who kicked Mr. Ramírez Zavala in the head.
“She recognized the kids from school,” he said. “She identified Scully as the one who kicked the victim as he was lying on the ground.”
Judge Richard A. Caputo gave the jury a 45-minute break and instructed the jury not to start discussing the case until they have heard closing arguments that are expected later today.