Wednesday, December 23, 2009
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.
The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.