An attorney for one of the men accused in a videotaped beating of an Atlanta gay man says there's more behind the attack.

For weeks, investigators have been trying to figure out the motive behind the beating.

Brandon White, 20, said he was targeted because he's gay. The video of White's beating went viral, which showed at least three men punching and kicking him while at least one of the men yelled gay slurs.

"They're monsters," White said at a February news conference. "I have never seen those guys before."

Channel 2's Tony Thomas talked to attorney Jay Abt, who represents one of the suspects arrested in the beating, Dorian Maragne.

Abt said White not only knew his attackers but was threatening one of them.

"One of the young men, who was gay, didn't want anyone else to know he was gay and apparently Brandon White apparently threatened to out that person," Abt told Thomas.

Fulton County prosecutors have charged several men for the attack.

The FBI is involved in the case, looking to see if there is a hate crime involved, but so far it has made no decision. Currently, Georgia does not have a hate crime law on the books.

"In terms of the state charges that have been brought, I don't think it changes anything other than issues about the motive, why an attack occurred," Abt said.

Three other men along with Moragne have been indicted for the beating. Moragne insists he's not guilty.

Thomas was unable reach White for his reaction.