Race a Factor in Marine Murder?

An absolutely horrifying story takes an ominous twist.

Four Marines accused of breaking into a Brooklyn-raised Iraq veteran's California home, sexually assaulting his wife and executing the couple could face the death penalty amid speculation the mixed-race couple was targeted in a bias attack.

All four confessed to a role in the brutal torture and killing of Sgt. Jan Pietrzak, 24, and his bride, Quianna Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26, according to court records.

The Marines were stationed at the same military base as Pietrzak. Two of them were under his authority in the same unit.

Cops believe they targeted Pietrzak for "financial gain," but the soldier's mom, Henryka Pietrzak-Varga, said from her Bensonhurst home yesterday, "I don't believe that.

"I don't know what happened. All I know is I lost my son, and I don't think that happened because of a robbery.

"Everything I hear, I hear from the newspapers. I want to know the truth."

A family friend, who asked not to be named, said Pietrzak-Varga had mentioned racial bias could have been a motive. Pietrzak, who was white, was married to a black woman. All the accused killers are black.

"She was such a beautiful woman," said the friend. "The family is certainly wondering if there were some jealousy issues."

Cops charged Lance Cpl. Emrys John, 18, Lance Cpl. Tyrone Miller, 20, Private Kevin Cox, 20, and Lance Cpl. Kesuan Sykes, 21, with murder and rape with an instrument.

John and Miller worked under Pietrzak, who was a helicopter mechanic.

Miller told cops he forced his way into the home in Winchester, between LA and San Diego, by pointing a shotgun at Pietrzak, according to an affidavit filed by a sheriff's investigator.

The four, who Miller said had planned to rob the couple, tied them up and talked about killing them.

All four said the wife was sexually assaulted, although none claimed responsibility for the attack, the affidavit said.