(Jan. 26, 2007) -- Superior Court Judge Gibson Lee has found true felony assault juvenile petitions filed by the D.A. against nine of ten minors (eight females, one male), the juvenile equivalent of guilty of the offenses charged. Hate crime charges appended against eight of the minors were also upheld.

The petition against one accused minor (age 12) was found not true and she will be released.

Victim impact statements are scheduled for next week.

Two other male juveniles face charges in separate proceedings in connection with the beatings.

LB Mayor Bob Foster issued the following statement:

The first stage of the judicial process has now concluded. Not everyone will like the outcome of the process, but the process must be respected. This incident has been a tragedy for all involved. All the families have suffered, dreams have been shattered and lives changed forever. The emotional and physical wounds will take time to heal. We would wish that such incidents would happen nowhere, but we know all too well they can happen anywhere. The measure of our City will be how we move forward from this incident by advancing healing and learning and our continued resolve to demonstrate the vibrant diversity of our City.

National, regional and L.A.-market media converged at the downtown LB courthouse for the court's decision and reaction to it.

Photo credit: Daniel deBoom

The juvenile court trial, formally termed an "adjudication" of the D.A.-filed petition (charging document), was heard by a judge, not a jury. The juvenile adjudication (which came to trial quickly compared to similar adult matters) began November 28 and was open to the public under a state law requiring open-court when certain serious crimes are alleged.

The ten minors have remained in juvenile detention since their Oct. 31 (Nov. 1 early a.m.) arrest; bail is not a factor in juvenile proceedings. The nine teens found by the court to be responsible for the felony offenses now face penalties ranging from probation to terms in CA youth camps (juvenile incarceration).

Of the nine teens held responsible by the court, those over age 16 will have a felony and a strike on the records. Following sentencing, appeals are expected.

Adjudication of petitions filed against two other juveniles (both males, arrested after the first ten teens) are on a separate time track.