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A white man accused of draping a noose around the shoulders of a black teenager was convicted Wednesday of misdemeanor battery. The jury declined to return a felony verdict that would have labeled the offense a hate crime. Circuit Judge Tim Peters, however, surprised the courtroom by sending Louis J. Giannola IV, 20, to jail pending his Jan. 10 sentencing. He had been free on bond, and a misdemeanor usually carries only probation for a defendant with no prior record. Giannola was accused of draping a noose around the neck of Dionte Hall, 15, in January at a Wendy's restaurant in Largo, west of Tampa. He claimed he did so because another youngster, whose father is black, bet him $10 he wouldn't do it. Hall said he was angry, but walked away rather than starting a confrontation. He has since received awards from Largo city officials for the way he handled the potentially volatile situation. Giannola was charged with felony battery. Prosecutors needed to convince the jury the act was fueled by prejudice for the state's enhanced hate crime penalties to be applied to the case. The teens who were with Giannola pleaded guilty in juvenile court and received probation. [more]