Two Wilkes-Barre Men Charged For Act Of Hatred



Derrick Donchak (left) and Brandon Piekarsky (right).

 Two Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania men were sentenced to nine years in prison for beating and kicking to death a illegal Mexican immigrant. Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky were among a group of football players from Shenandoah who beat 25-year-old Luis Ramirez in 2008, because they didn't like Hispanics living in their town. Ramirez died from his injuries and the two men were convicted in October and received 12-15 years in a federal prison. Piekarksy was accused of delivering the fatal kick to the head after Ramirez was knocked unconscious by another teen involved in the fight.

Donchak also was convicted of two counts of conspiracy with three Shenandoah police officers who attempted cover up the crime. Those officers were tried last month in federal court on charges they obstructed a federal investigation into the fatal beating, but a jury rejected most of the government's case.

Ramirez was engaged to be married before the incident and was the father of three small children. Now his children are left fatherless, because of the actions of these boys. Ramirez's fiance says they experienced racism from people in the town and it is hard to take your children out when people say things to her while she is out with her children.

"It's pretty sad when you see the true sides of half of these people around here," she said. "It's not good when you go out and you have your small children and they're saying, 'Take your dirty Mexicans home and give them a bath. "

These teens let their hatred get the best of them. Now, they are sitting in prison and any plans they had for their future is over. Because of their hatred and racism, three small children are left without their father and a woman is left to raise her children alone. Personally, I don't feel that 12-15 years is long enough for someone who has taken another person's life. Ramirez lost his life, and these boys can move on with their lives in 12 years. Which means by age of 32, they will be free and out of prison. It is sad on both ends. These young boys who could have had a bright future ahead of them will probably never have the opportunity to go to college. I hate to blame parents in these situations, but they play a role. Children see our actions and they hear what we say. Maybe if their parents had taught them not to express hatred, this would have never happened and their sons wouldn't be sitting in prison today.