Teen's defense rests its case in fatal beating of immigrant

POTTSVILLE, Pa. - As the defense rested its case yesterday, a high school football player charged with fatally kicking an illegal Mexican immigrant was hoping a jury would pin the blame on another teen.

The defense tried to sow doubt in jurors' minds that Brandon Piekarsky, 17, kicked Luis Ramirez as he lay unconscious in the street July 12.

Prosecutors say a group of white teens shouted slurs at Ramirez, 25, as they attacked him in Shenandoah. The defense has cast the victim as the aggressor.

Prosecutors say that after Ramirez was knocked to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, Piekarsky kicked him in the head. Officers Robert Senape and Michelle Ashman testified for the defense yesterday that Ramirez's friend Arielle Garcia told them Brian Scully, 18, kicked Ramirez.

Scully, charged in juvenile court with aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation, has testified that he shouted ethnic slurs at Ramirez. He said he tried to kick Ramirez but missed. Scully and two other teens said Piekarsky was the kicker.

Colin Walsh, 17, has admitted knocking Ramirez unconscious and pleaded guilty in federal court to violating his civil rights. He testified against Piekarsky and codefendant Derrick Donchak, 19, who is charged with aggravated assault. The two are also charged with ethnic intimidation.

Closing arguments are today.