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Testimony Starts Today in Shenandoah Beating Trial

Testimony Starts Today in Shenandoah Beating Trial - Monday, April 27, 2009 at 12:00PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Apr 27, 2009 @ 12:00am EST
POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY- Testimony is set to begin Monday morning in a high-profile beating case in Schuylkill County. Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak are facing charges in connection with the death of Luis Ramirez. He died last summer.

Jury selection began last Wednesday and moved quicker than most people imagined. A total of 12 jurors and four alternates have been selected to hear the case. The judge told them that he expects testimony to begin Monday and last a week and a half to two weeks.

Nine months after their arrest, Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak are now on trial for the beating death of Luis Ramirez. Piekarsky’s attorney Fred Fanelli said last week, “This has been a heavy burden to carry and this is the first day of getting the rest of their lives restored."

Ramirez was beaten outside the Vine Street Park in Shenandoah. Prosecutors say the crime was racially motivated because the teens were allegedly yelling racial slurs during the attack. “As we've said all along, this is -- it has not been a hate crime -- this was a street fight that ended tragically and finally now, after all these months, we get a chance to tell the story," added Fanelli.

Because of the nature of the case, national and international media have an interest in the trial. That begs the question, can the suspects get a fair trial in Schuylkill County? Their lawyers say yes. “I have every confidence that the people in Schuylkill County can be fair and impartial in this case," said Fanelli.

There's a list of roughly 50 potential witnesses in the trial. One of the most important is Colin Walsh. He was originally charged in the beating, but those charges where dropped last week, after he pled guilty in federal court.

Donchak’s lawyer Jeff Markosky said, “It’s going to be our job to point out why he's testifying and what he has to gain in order to testify -- which is a lot. He's had all his charges dropped here in this court."

The trial of Piekarsky and Donchak has grabbed national headlines. More attention is expected now that testimony is starting. “Everybody's holding up well. They're anxious to move on with this. They're here for their trial and they want to let everyone know what happened here," added Markosky late last week.

The most serious charge Piekarsky is facing is third degree murder. The most serious charge Donchak is facing is aggravated assault.

Lawyers have not given any indication if either suspect is expected to take the stand.

Stay with Eyewitness News for continuing coverage of the trial in Schuylkill County.

 


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