RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — A white former high school athlete was convicted Monday of manslaughter as a hate crime in the killing of an Ecuadorean immigrant, a case that sparked a federal probe of police investigations of bias attacks against Latinos.
Jeffrey Conroy, 19, was one of seven teenagers implicated in the November 2008 stabbing death of Marcelo Lucero in what prosecutors say was the culmination of a campaign of violence targeting Latinos on Long Island. The teens described the activity as “beaner-hopping” or “Mexican hopping.”
Conroy shook his head when the verdict was read in the packed courtroom. He was acquitted of two counts of murder, including one count as a hate crime, but was convicted of manslaughter, gang assault and conspiracy in the Lucero killing.
He also was found guilty of three counts of attempted assault in an attack on Lucero’s friend, as well as two other Latino men prior to the stabbing.
“The hunting season is over, at least for now,” the victim’s brother, Joselo Lucero, said later at a news conference with his mother and sister at his side.
Four other defendants have pleaded guilty to hate-crime-related charges, and two others are awaiting trial.
Conroy was the only one charged with murder and manslaughter; prosecutors said he was the one who inflicted the fatal wound in a midnight fight near the Patchogue train station. He faces eight to 25 years in prison when sentenced May 26.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced last fall it would investigate hate crimes and the police response to them.
