Seven White Teens Accused of Stabbing Hispanic Man to Death

Nov. 10, 2008— -- Police say a Hispanic man has been attacked on Long Island by a gang of white teenagers and stabbed to death.

Suffolk County police officers responding to an emergency call Saturday night say they found 37-year-old Ecuadorean Marcello Lucero stabbed in the chest in Patchogue (PACH'-awg). They say a friend who was with him was unhurt.

Police say they quickly rounded up seven white boys ages 16 and 17 from Medford and East Patchogue.

The boys are charged with gang assault. One of them is charged with manslaughter as a hate crime. They're being held until arraignment Monday.

County Executive Steve Levy says the "heinous crime" that led to the man's death because of his race won't be tolerated.