WASHINGTON - Sources say the suspect in a case where a man died in a fight on the way a D.C. gay bar pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and avoided what could have been a significant jail sentence Thursday.

Even though Tony Hunter's murder was initially investigated as a hate crime, it was never officially declared in court. On Thursday, the 18-year-old charged with the crime pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.

"He should serve time for it," said a woman.

District resident Robert Hannah was arrested just weeks after the fatal beating last September. Thirty-seven-year-old Hunter was one of two gay men attacked by Hannah and three others. The victims were headed to a bar, formerly known as the Be Bar that caters to the gay community.

Now, most of its patrons are outraged and afraid. "It's a travesty, it really is. I think that the city is negligent," said Paul McCoy, a D.C. resident. 

Police say trouble began that night when Hannah and Hunter exchanged words, which led to a fistfight and Hunter's severe head trauma. But according to the affidavit, a superior court grand jury believes, "Mr. Hunter fell, hitting his head on the ground, causing the injuries that led to his death."

Community activist Keith Jarrell believes Thursday's indictment sends an alarming message that violence against the gay and lesbian community is accepted. 

"The city has turned [its] back on the gay community in many aspects," he said.

Bill Gray, the new owner of the bar, says he's now afraid his customers are being targeted. "We have beefed up security. We have undercover security walking around the block constantly when we're open," he said.

Hannah's lawyer argued that his client was touched inappropriately by the victim. Still, everyone ABC 7 News spoke with Thursday night is in agreement that's no reason to severely beat a man.

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