Friends and relatives of two teens accused in the beating death of a Mexican immigrant struggled to contain their relief as not-guilty verdicts were announced on the most serious charges against the former high school football stars Friday. Luis Ramirez died of blunt force injuries after a confrontation with a group of Pennsylania teens. Gasps filled the courtroom and some had to be restrained by sheriff's deputies as they tried to rush the defense table after Derrick Donchak, 19, and Brandon Piekarsky, 17, were acquitted of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and ethnic intimidation for the death of Luis Ramirez. Piekarsky was also found not guilty of third-degree murder for the death of Ramirez, who died of blunt force injuries after an encounter with the teens last summer.
@highlight
Teens acquitted of murder, aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation
@highlight
Verdict sends "extremely dangerous" precedent, advocacy group says
@highlight
Schuylkill County prosecutors alleged the beating was racially motivated
@highlight
Incident drew national attention to small town of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania
Brandon Piekarsky
Piekarsky
However, the all-white jury of six men and six women from Schuylkill County jury found @placeholder and Donchak guilty of simple assault.
Derrick Donchak
However, the all-white jury of six men and six women from Schuylkill County jury found Piekarsky and @placeholder guilty of simple assault.
Derrick Donchak
@placeholder was convicted of providing alcohol to the other teens who were involved in the confrontation, including a juvenile co-defendant and another teen who pleaded guilty in federal court for his role in the fight.
Brandon Piekarsky
Piekarsky
@placeholder was accused of delivering a fatal kick to Ramirez's head after he was knocked to the ground.