Teens plead innocent to hate crime

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — A judge has denied bail for two Pennsylvania teens charged with a hate crime in the death of a Mexican immigrant.

Eighteen-year-old Brandon Piekarsky and 19-year-old Derrick Donchak pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Wilkes-Barre.

They were arraigned on charges stemming from the July 2008 beating death of 25-year-old Luis Ramirez in the town of Shenandoah.

Judge Malchy Mannion has denied them bail and said they are dangers to the community.

A jury previously acquitted the teens of the most serious state charges, angering Hispanic leaders and civil-rights groups.

Gov. Ed Rendell asked the Justice Department to pursue civil-rights charges.

Three police officers were charged last week with obstructing the investigation into Ramirez’s death.

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