Hate crime charges have been dropped for all but three of the 15 students at Salisbury University in Maryland who police said targeted a man and lured him to an off-campus apartment where they beat him,

First-degree assault charges were also dropped, though other charges for all 15 students suspected in the assault remain.

Twelve of the 15 students arrested last month for allegedly punching, kicking and calling a man derogatory names had their hate crime and felony assault charges dismissed.

The three college fraternity students were charged with a hate crime are from Anne Arundel County, court records show.

University of Maryland class rooted in hate crime murder of officer