d.j. williams was tormented by his roommates including being locked in his room, choked with a bike lock and called derogatory names. >> the act of clamping a bike lock around someone's neck is a violent act. >> reporter: warren, joseph and the other were expelled from scho then. today found guilty of misdemeanor battery. >> i'm rather hesitant to say anything because as you know, there is a $5 million lawsuit that is pending against my client, the others and the university. >> reporter: joseph bomb gardener was found not guilty and the jer could not reach a victim on hate crime charges for the other two. the d.a. may seek a retrial on those charges. >> the atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the college dorm room leads into our entire community as the defendant sought to diminish the dignity of their african american roommate. >> reporter: they had trouble with the hate crime charges. sentencing for the three former students is set for march 14th. they face up to six months in jail. reporting live in san jose, scott budman, nbc bay area news. >> from the courtroom, the campus, san jose s