Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
Florida man gets 8 years for fatal hate-crime attack
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A Florida man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in the hate-crime beating death of a Guatemalan man.
The Palm Beach Post reports that 22-year-old Jesse Harris pleaded guilty Friday to aggravated battery while committing evidence of prejudice. He had been facing a first-degree murder charge.
Authorities say Harris, his brother David Harris and Austin Taggart attacked 18-year-old Onesimo Marcelino Lopez-Ramos in April 2015. Prosecutors say the group was prowling Jupiter streets, specifically targeting someone of Guatemalan heritage.
Investigators say Lopez-Ramos died after his skull was cracked with an axe by David Harris.
David Harris was sentenced to life in prison last year after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder.
Taggart received 20 years last week after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated battery while committing evidence of prejudice.
___
Information from: The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, http://www.pbpost.com
News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
