4 'Jono' defendants face 2nd-degree murder charges

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -- Four of the five defendants in the beating death of Jonathan Krystiniak outside the Margarita Grille earlier this year will face second-degree murder charges.

Ryan Simonson, Milton Lopez, Eric Freeman and Luis Gaston will stand trial on the upgraded charges following a Monday ruling by Circuit Court Judge Christopher Yates.

The judge ruled that, although Simonson and Lopez did not deliver the fatal blows, they aided and abetted a criminal act that resulted in Krystiniak's death.

Freeman will face second-degree murder charges based on the evidence he kicked the man known as Jono in the head. Gaston had previously not contested his second-degree murder charge.

The fifth defendant, Casey Therriault, will face manslaughter charges.