RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Authorities say a Long Island teenager lunged four to five feet before plunging a knife into the chest of an Ecuadorean immigrant targeted because of his ethnicity.
Jeffrey Conroy, who's 17, was ordered held without bail Monday after pleading not guilty to murder as a hate crime and other charges in the Nov. 8 killing of Marcelo Lucero.
Attorney Bill Keahon says Conroy will be proven innocent at trial.
The crime unleashed a torrent of emotions and calls for stiff punishment against Conroy and six schoolmates.
The other teens previously entered not guilty pleas to charges including gang assault.
Conroy faces 25 years to life and the others five to 25 years if convicted of the most serious charges.
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