Teen Denies Involvement In Hate Slay

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. - One of the seven defendants awaiting a Long Island trial in the killing of an Ecuadorean immigrant says he got a ride from the wrong crowd and wasn't involved in the attack.

In a Newsday interview, Jose Pacheco, who turned 18 in the Suffolk County Jail, also expressed condolences to the family of Marcelo Lucero (mar-SEHL'-oh loo-SEHR'-oh). The dry cleaning worker was stabbed in the chest on Nov. 8, 2008 in Patchogue (PACH'-awg), N.Y.

Authorities say the teens went looking for a Latino victim.

Pacheco is the son of a black mother and a Puerto Rican father. He says he has been threatened and spit on by Latino gang members in jail.

He's charged with gang assault and conspiracy.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com