MIAMI (WSVN) - It’s sentencing day for the men accused of beating up a couple during a local gay-pride parade.
Monday afternoon, the four men accused of attacking a gay couple during Pride weekend in Miami Beach in 2018 reached a plea agreement.
They ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges against them.
One by one they apologized to the victims who were in court Monday.
“I wish [I would have] reacted different way,” said one of the accused in a navy suit.
“I want to offer my most sincere apology,” said another of the accused in a white shirt.
In court, all four men entered their pleas for two counts of battery with prejudice, a second-degree felony.
“My actions do not define who I am and how I was raised. It was never my intentions to hurt Rene and Dimitri,” said a third man who pleaded guilty.
Surveillance video shows the four accused men throwing punches at the two victims.
“I am thankful to learn from my mistakes,” said the fourth accused.
The judge shared the terms of the plea deal in court.
“For all of you, it is going to be a withhold of adjudication. You will be on five years of reported probation,” said Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan, “a stay away order from the victims, 200 community service hours- at a minimum 10 per month. You will complete an anger management course. You will go undergo a mental health evaluation and any treatment if required, if necessary. You will undergo substance abuse evaluation and any treatment if that is necessary.”
From the judge, to the attorneys, to the victims, everyone in court agreed this was a painful case.
A statement from one of those victim’s was read in court, which touched on the fact they want to give the four men a chance to make something out of their lives.
“It reads, ‘It’s been almost five years, almost half of my time living in the United States, dealing With the fears of being myself,” said Justin Funck, Assistant State Attorney. “the reason why I left my own country. Today I am taking a chance to rebuild my life, and I believe these young gentlemen to have that chance too but to remember to be remembered by new achievements and not the past.'”
Both victims did not speak to 7News on camera when they left the courtroom.
Attorneys for two of the defendants spoke about moving forward.
“Mr. Lopez is very happy and relieved to put this chapter behind him and focus on the bright future he has ahead of him,” said Attorney David Donet, who represents Juan Lopez.
“There is one thing we can agree. Is that hate against any of our citizens, against our brothers and sisters, members of our family is wrong, and it’s not going to be tolerated,” said Attorney Greg Gonzalez, who represents Pablo Reinaldo Romo-Figueroa.
One of the defendants has an additional charge of assault with prejudice.
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