Thread: PA-Teen accused in beating found delinquent

BREAKING NEWS: Teen accused in beating found delinquent



NICK MEYER/STAFF PHOTO Brian Scully walks through the courthouse before his hearing Monday morning.


Published: Monday, May 18, 2009 12:25 PM EDT

Schuylkill County President Judge William E. Baldwin has found a Shenandoah Valley teen delinquent for his admitted actions in connection with the beating of an illegal Mexican immigrant who died from his injuries.

During a Monday morning hearing in juvenile court, which was partly open to the public, Brian Scully, 18, admitted to several actions prosecutors accused him of during a fight July 12 involving several youths and Luis Ramirez Zavala, 25, who died two days later. Scully said he had attempted to kick Ramirez in the head but missed and that he kicked him in the shoulder.

Ramirez died from severe head trauma.

Scully apologized for his actions.

As the case was heard in juvenile court, the judge only determined delinquency, not guilt. After a closed door discussion, Baldwin said Scully will be sent to Alternative Rehabilitation Communities, York, for no more than 90 days of treatmern. After that, Alternative Rehabilitation will make a recommendation to Schuylkill County probation officers regarding a final dispostion of Scully. Probation officers will then make a recommendation to the court.

Scully can be sent to a detention center until he is 21 years old.

Monday's hearing was open to the public due to the severity of the charges. Usually juvenile hearings are behind closed doors.

Scully is one of four youths who were charged in connection with the death of Luis Ramirez Zavala, 25, in July 2008.

On May 1, Brandon J. Piekarsky, 17, of Shenandoah Heights, and Derrick M. Donchak, 19, of Shenandoah, were found not guilty of the most serious charges against them. Scully had testified against them during their week-long trial, stating Piekarsky kicked Ramirez in the head.

A fourth youth, Colin Walsh, 17, of Shenandoah Heights has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating Ramirez' civil rights. State charges against him have been dropped.

http://www.republicanherald.com/article ... 832469.txt

It's strange how they would violate Scully's juvenile right to a closed hearing. I wonder who made that decision and WHY?? (Pressure from ethnocentrist groups no doubt.)

I was informed last week that Scully took a plea (Monday, May 11), but this article reads like he had a "hearing" today. I trust my source way more than the Republican Herald. Perhaps he pleaded last week and had 'sentencing' this week? I don't know.