Gov Rendell Wants Charges Filed Against Shenandoah Teens

06.01.09 | Terry Diener

Gov. Ed Rendell wants the Justice Department to file federal charges against two in the fatal beating of a Mexican immigrant in Schuylkill County. Rendell calls the 2008 attack on 25-year-old Luis Ramirez "senseless and cowardly." In a letter on Friday Rendell urged the Justice Department to pursue civil rights charges against the white teenagers from Shenandoah.

Earlier this month, a Schuylkill County jury acquitted 17-year-old Brandon Piekarsky of third-degree murder and ethnic intimidation and 19-year-old Derrick Donchak of aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation. Both were convicted of simple assault.