Florida man gets 8 years for involvement in deadly hate-crime attack in 2015

November 18, 20119

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - 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 ax 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.