VERDICT IN FEDERAL HATE CRIME TRIAL

SIX HOURS OF DELIBERATION LED TO A GUILTY VERDICT AGAINST TWO SHENANDOAH MEN FOR VIOLATING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF A MEXICAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT. THE JURY OF SIX MEN AND SIX WOMEN RENDERED THE VERDICT TODAY IN FEDERAL COURT.

LIVE REPORT FROM FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, SCRANTON

DONCHAK CRIED AS THE VERDICT WAS ANNOUNCED, AND TOLD HIS FAMILY THAT HE LOVED THEM. PIEKARSKY WAS STOIC AS THE VERDICT WAS ANNOUNCED.

IN ADDITION TO THE POSSIBLE LIFE SENTENCE, AND A $250-THOUSAND FINE, DONCHAK COULD BE SENTENCED TO AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEARS ON THE CONSPIRACY COUNT AND UP TO TWENTY YEARS FOR THE OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE CHARGES, PLUS FINES.

THE PROSECUTION PRESENTED A CASE THAT TRIED TO PAINT THE BEATING OF RAMIREZ AS RACIALLY-MOTIVATED. DURING THE EIGHT DAY TRIAL, SEVERAL OF THE OTHER BOYS WHO WERE INVOLVED WERE CALLED TO THE STAND.