Posted on 11/02/2009 5:54:42 PM PST by nickcarraway
Over the past year, he has turned 18, earned his GED and dreamed about moving to California and going to college. All from the confines of a Suffolk County Jail cell.
Jose Pacheco is one of seven defendants charged with participating in the hate killing of Marcelo Lucero, and the only minority among the group. He and five others have been held in jail for nearly a year awaiting trial in the closely watched case.
PHOTOS: 7 teens accused in Patchogue slaying
In prison greens, behind Plexiglas, the 18-year-old repeatedly glanced at his mother and attorney during an interview last week as he affirmed his innocence and distanced himself from the six other defendants - all former students at Patchogue-Medford High School. He is the first defendant to publicly speak.
"This isn't for anyone," he said of jail. "I've learned a lot of things. I was with the wrong crowd. Your life can change in two minutes. Two minutes, that's all it takes."
Pacheco denied any involvement in the Lucero attack a year ago in Patchogue. "That was just my ride home," he said.
"I had nothing to do with this crime," he added. "I am innocent. I want the public to know I'm a good person. I'm not a monster."
The conditions of the interview included having his attorney, Christopher Brocato, and his mother, Sherri Pacheco, present. No questions about the attacks Pacheco is charged with were allowed.
Charge: Teens sought victim
Authorities have painted a different picture of Pacheco. They say he and six other teenagers set out to look for a Latino victim on Nov. 8; found Lucero, an Ecuadorean immigrant; and pummeled him before one, Jeffrey Conroy, stabbed him. Brocato said Pacheco - who was charged with gang assault and conspiracy -
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
That is a members only link, I couldn’t see the article.
Lots of trash out in central Suffolk County these days it seems.
Yes it is a members only site, that link only gives me a tiny article preview unless I join.
Hmmm. I don’t understand that. I’ve been on that site many times, and have never had to log in before reading the site. Are you in the U.S.?
Yes U.S., you must have some cookies from a previous sign in.
I have never signed in.
It would sure help figure this out if some other posters showed up.
The defendant says he was just getting a ride home, but based on the rest of the article I don’t believe him. He’s finally living some of the consequences of his year-long assault spree.
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