There is a call for new hate crimes laws in the United States. At the center is the beating death of Luis Ramirez in Schuylkill County.
A picture of Ramirez was featured during a news conference Wednesday on Capitol Hill. Just last month two teens from Shenandoah were cleared of the most serious charges in connection with the beating death of the illegal immigrant.
A group called the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund believes the jury's verdict sends the wrong message.
"The message as far as MALDEF is concerned, is that if you are Latino in America, if you are brutally attacked because of your ethnicity, if you die as a result of that brutal beating that is senseless and unjust, there is no justice for you," said John Amaya of MALDEF.
MALDEF and lawmakers urged Congress to pass new laws against hate crimes.
They also called on the department of justice to file federal charges against the teens involved in the beating death of Luis Ramirez.
In Shenandoah, some said the call for a federal investigation into the Ramirez death last year is opening up emotional wounds.
Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky were found not guilty of the most serious charges for the beating death of Ramirez, an illegal immigrant. They were convicted of simple assault. Third-degree murder charges were dropped against a third suspect, Colin Walsh in exchange for his testimony.
One of the jurors at the beating death trial said a federal investigation is not the way to go.
"When is enough, enough? It's over! I don't think anything should come of this. I think the boys should live their lives and do something," said juror Josh Silfies.
Some people in Shenandoah agree.
"I think the verdict is the verdict and it should stay the verdict," said Christine Pridish.
Others, including Gene Gilbert, believe there is a need for a federal investigation. "Let them come in and look at this because I think they're getting off a little lenient."
"To get down to the truth to really investigate and find out what really went on and to make sure they get their justice," said Camille Guzman of Shenandoah.
"Up to now people are not satisfied with it and others who were very uncomfortable with it and I think it will bring satisfaction to go though with it. Nobody is going to be satisfied with it until it's over," said Kathleen Merchlinsky.
No matter what the federal government decides, Donchak and Piekarsky will be sentenced in Schuylkill County court on June 17.
A picture of Ramirez was featured during a news conference Wednesday on Capitol Hill. Just last month two teens from Shenandoah were cleared of the most serious charges in connection with the beating death of the illegal immigrant.
A group called the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund believes the jury's verdict sends the wrong message.
"The message as far as MALDEF is concerned, is that if you are Latino in America, if you are brutally attacked because of your ethnicity, if you die as a result of that brutal beating that is senseless and unjust, there is no justice for you," said John Amaya of MALDEF.
MALDEF and lawmakers urged Congress to pass new laws against hate crimes.
They also called on the department of justice to file federal charges against the teens involved in the beating death of Luis Ramirez.
In Shenandoah, some said the call for a federal investigation into the Ramirez death last year is opening up emotional wounds.
Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky were found not guilty of the most serious charges for the beating death of Ramirez, an illegal immigrant. They were convicted of simple assault. Third-degree murder charges were dropped against a third suspect, Colin Walsh in exchange for his testimony.
One of the jurors at the beating death trial said a federal investigation is not the way to go.
"When is enough, enough? It's over! I don't think anything should come of this. I think the boys should live their lives and do something," said juror Josh Silfies.
Some people in Shenandoah agree.
"I think the verdict is the verdict and it should stay the verdict," said Christine Pridish.
Others, including Gene Gilbert, believe there is a need for a federal investigation. "Let them come in and look at this because I think they're getting off a little lenient."
"To get down to the truth to really investigate and find out what really went on and to make sure they get their justice," said Camille Guzman of Shenandoah.
"Up to now people are not satisfied with it and others who were very uncomfortable with it and I think it will bring satisfaction to go though with it. Nobody is going to be satisfied with it until it's over," said Kathleen Merchlinsky.
No matter what the federal government decides, Donchak and Piekarsky will be sentenced in Schuylkill County court on June 17.
