NY teen on trial in hate crime stabbing death

By FRANK ELTMAN Associated Press Writer

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) - A teenager accused of stabbing an immigrant from Ecuador goes on trial in New York.

Jeffrey Conroy was among seven teens implicated in the November 2008 killing of Marcelo Lucero (mar-SEHL'-oh loo-SEHR'-oh). Prosecutors say the killing was the culmination of a campaign of violence against Hispanics by Long Island teenagers.

The 19-year-old Conroy is the sole murder defendant. Prosecutors say he admitted plunging a knife into the victim's chest during a midnight confrontation near the Patchogue (PACH'-awg) train station.

He has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter as a hate crime.

Opening statements are Thursday. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.