Contact: Ermias Alemayehu, BOND, 323-782-1980, 213-804-1872

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- A judge handed guilty verdicts for nine of 10 black youths who had taken part in the vicious beating of three white women in Long Beach on Halloween night. The minors could face sentences ranging from probation to months in a county youth camp when the punishment is handed down at a later date.

The following is Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson's statement regarding this issue:

"This verdict was a step in the right direction. Too often there's a double standard when it comes to punishment of black-on-white crimes. At least this sends the message that this type of racial double standard does not apply in this case.

"Even though the defendants are minors, I hope that the court will hand down serious time so that these perpetrators will understand the gravity of their crimes.

"We're calling on the community and the parents of the accused to encourage the youth to take full responsibility for their actions, and not excuse the crimes or attempt to discredit the justice system.

"Our prayers go out to the family of the victims."

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is the founder and president of BOND (Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization whose mission is "rebuilding the family by rebuilding the man." Rev. Peterson is the author of SCAM: How the Black Leadership Exploits Black America. For more information visit www.bondinfo.org