The FBI has launched a preliminary

investigation into whether the beating of a gay Savannah man

warrants federal charges as a hate crime. Two U.S. Marines

stationed in South Carolina have been charged with battery in

the beating of 26-year-old Kieran Daly. Police found him

unconscious on a downtown street corner early Saturday. FBI

spokesman Steve Emmett said Monday the agency is looking

into the case along with federal prosecutors. Savannah police

say witnesses told them one of the Marines had punched Daly

in the back of the head. They said the suspects accused Daly of winking at them. The Marines - Keil Cronauer and

Christopher Stanzel - told police they were trying to get away from a gay man who was harassing them. Both were arrested and

later released to military police.

Tags: Savannah, South Carolina, FBI, gay, battery, U.S. Marines, hate crime, Kieran Daly, Steve Emmett