Marcelo Lucero's Mother, Sister and Brother Head to Court

By Shari Einhorn

"She has no words to describe the pain over the loss of her son."

That was from Rosario Lucero...the mother of Marcelo Lucero.  He's the Ecuadorian immigrant who was stabbed to death last November -- allegedly by 7 Patchogue-Medford High School students.  Cops have said the motive was purely racial.  All 7 have pleaded not guilty to hate crime and other charges.

Rosario Lucero and her daughter Isabel flew in Monday night from Ecuador.  Today they were hoping to see the teens accused of killing their son/brother.  That didn't really happen.  The two teens who are out on bail were in the courtroom with their parents.  The other 5 never entered the courtroom though many of their family members were there.  The case was adjourned until April 1st.

It was an emotional morning for mother and sister -- along with brother, Joselo.  Dozens of news cameras followed their every move...reporters asked questions in English and Spanish...court officers escorted the family down the long hallway and out to their cars.

This family -- and the families of the defendants -- were all thrust into the national media spotlight without warning.  It's impossible to imagine what it must be like for any of them.  

Rosario Lucero and her daughter are expected to stay here on the island for about a month and then come back when the trial starts.  They're hoping to meet with prosecutors, the District Attorney and when they're feeling strong enough -- to visit the spot where Marcelo lost his life.