Antigay Party Crashers Charged With Hate-Crime Murder

The six New York City teenagers accused in the beating death of an 18-year-old they perceived to be gay have been charged with murder as a hate crime, authorities say.

After crashing a birthday party in Woodhaven, Queens, in March, the teens reportedly smashed windows, flashed gang signs, and yelled antigay slurs at recent high school graduate Anthony Collao, who witnesses say was chased by the gang, pinned against a car, and punched, kicked, and beaten with a pipe. He died after two days on life support.

According to Queens district attorney Richard A. Brown, the teens were each charged with 21 counts, including second-degree murder as a hate crime.

If convicted, the defendants could face 25 years to life in prison.

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