Relief bank account started for Guatemalan victim allegedly savaged by Lynn juveniles

LYNN – A bank account has been established on behalf of Guat-emalan immigrant Damian Merida who was savagely beaten near to death on July 22 by a group of Lynn juveniles.Merida, 30, was transferred this week from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to a Tewksbury rehabilitation center, but his medical condition remains dour.Six boys, ranging in age from 11 to 14, have been arrested for attempted murder and other charges related to the unprovoked attack. Merida was asleep near the commuter railroad tracks abutting Robert McManus Field when the boys allegedly pounced and beat him senseless with bricks, sticks, rocks and bottles.According to Lynn Police Lt. William Sharpe, the boys assaulted Merida because of his ethnicity. Merida suffered massive head injuries, internal damage and broken bones. The defendants have posted bail and are awaiting pre-trial hearings.School officials have not announced whether the boys will be allowed to return to classes when the academic year begins next week.Family friend Nancy Pye of Swampscott said Merida is an illegal alien living in the United States for the past 15 years. As a result, the bank account was set up at Sovereign Bank in the name of Merida’s brother, Alfredo Pojoy of Lynn, a U.S. Citizen.Donations can be made at any Sovereign Bank branch, paid to The Damian Merida Medical Fund.Merida’s mother, Teofila, has been at his bedside daily since the attack.”It was a horrific attack. She’s distraught over his injuries and the lifetime care that she was told he will need,” said Pye, noting the family is weighing whether Merida should return to Guatemala. Pye said she has offered to pay the airfare.Merida worked as a landscaper, carpenter’s helper and assisted Pye at her florist business in an effort to support his mother.”Damian gave his mother money for food and the rent,” said his sister, Maria Gonsalez of Lynn. “He worked very hard.”Gonsalez lashed out at the Juvenile Court judge for allowing the boys to post bail. The judge was seemingly swayed by coaches and others who spoke in their behalf, she said.Gonsalez said her brother had drunk alcohol and fallen asleep outdoors on the day of the beating after learning that his former girlfriend was married and with child.