June 17, 2009 - Posted by Tyler Lewis
Today, a Pennsylvania judged sentenced the two teenagers convicted of simple assault for their role in the July 2008 fatal beating of Luiz Ramirez, a 25 year-old Mexican immigrant, to prison for up to 23 months.
"The meager sentences handed to the defendants today leaves justice gasping for further redress. The failure to hold these defendants responsible for their atrocious crimes denies justice not just to the Ramirez family, but also to the entire community by failing to deter similar crimes in the future," said Gladys Limón, staff attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
In May, a jury acquitted the two teenagers of more serious charges, including aggravated assault, third degree murder and ethnic intimidation, the Pennsylvania hate crimes law. The acquittal on these charges sparked outrage from the civil rights community who pointed to numerous reports that the attack was racially motivated.
The Justice Department is currently investigating whether to prosecute the two teenagers under federal civil rights statutes.
Categories: Hate Crimes & LLEHCPA
