Donchak

An all-white jury of six men and six women convicted Donchak and Piekarsky of simple assault.

CNN Transcript May 4, 2009 2009

O'BRIEN: Piekarsky and Donchak could have been released from state prison in just weeks.

CNN Transcript Dec 16, 2009 2009

In sentencing the two teenagers, Judge Baldwin, confined by the jury's verdict, said neither defendant showed remorse — Donchak had even worn a "Border Patrol" T-shirt to a party four months after the beating.

Twelve Angry White People: Jury Nullification in a Pennsylvania Coal Town 2009

Donchak was accused of aggravated assault, Piekarsky and Walsh of third-degree murder.

CNN Transcript May 4, 2009 2009

The jury also found both Piekarsky and Donchak not guilty of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, criminal solicitation/hindering apprehension or prosecution, and ethnic intimidation, although witnesses said they distinctly heard racial slurs and obscene language during the beating.

Twelve Angry White People: Jury Nullification in a Pennsylvania Coal Town 2009

Ed Rendell, the Anti-Defamation League, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and other organizations have asked the Department of Justice to pursue hate crime charges against Piekarsky and Donchak.

Twelve Angry White People: Jury Nullification in a Pennsylvania Coal Town 2009

Piekarsky and Donchak could still face significant prison time.

Twelve Angry White People: Jury Nullification in a Pennsylvania Coal Town 2009

Colin J. Walsh, 18, Shenandoah Heights, whose state charges were withdrawn after he pleaded guilty to a civil rights violation in federal court, cooperated with state and federal authorities and testified against Piekarsky and Donchak.

Twelve Angry White People: Jury Nullification in a Pennsylvania Coal Town 2009

Baldwin also sentenced Donchak to one year probation for three counts of corruption of minors, a first degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of two to five years in state prison; Baldwin also sentenced Donchak to three months in prison on each of three counts of furnishing alcohol to minors; the sentences would be served concurrently.

Twelve Angry White People: Jury Nullification in a Pennsylvania Coal Town 2009

Two of the gang were not charged, and two others are likely to spend more time in confinement than Piekarsky and Donchak.

Twelve Angry White People: Jury Nullification in a Pennsylvania Coal Town 2009