Just got this off the New York Times site:

Ex - Student Convicted in Hate - Crime Trial
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 6:00 p.m. ET

ATLANTA (AP) -- In the first trial under Georgia's new hate crimes law, a former college student was convicted Wednesday in the baseball-bat beating of a dorm mate he thought was giving him the eye in the shower.

Aaron Price, 19, was found guilty of assault and battery charges that carry up to 40 years prison. The jury continued to weigh a hate crimes charge that could bring an additional five years.

Gregory Love suffered a fractured skull in the attack in a Morehouse College dormitory bathroom in November.

Price said he interpreted Love's stares in the shower as a sexual advance, and claimed he was acting in self-defense.

Love said he did not have his glasses on and mistook Price for his roommate.

The beating evoked strong emotions at the historically black college, where some gay students said homophobia is rampant. The incident prompted administrators to set up discussion sessions promoting diversity.