GREENSBURG, Pa. — Pittsburgh's federal prosecutor is reviewing the torture death of a mentally disabled woman under a new federal law banning hate crimes against people with disabilities. Acting U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar said today that it's too early to tell if his office will file charges against any or all of the six suspects under the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act signed by President Obama in October.

The suspects face homicide and other charges in state court in last week’s death of 30-year-old Jennifer Daugherty. Her body was found in a trash can at a school in Greensburg.

Cessar says he needs to do more research to determine whether his office may file an extra charge against the suspects or bring the entire case into federal court.

Daugherty's head had been shaved, and she had been bound with Christmas decorations and clothing; she also was hit with a towel rack, vacuum cleaner hose and a crutch, according to an affidavit. Her face was painted with nail polish, and she was fed vegetable oil, spices and medications in addition to soap and urine, police said.

"She was exploited, and her kindness and her handicap made her very vulnerable," Daugherty's sister, Joy Burkholder, said. "She trusted everybody; she believed everyone was good, and no one would hurt her."

Six people were charged with criminal homicide, kidnapping and related charges in the death of Daugherty. Charged were Robert Loren Masters Jr., 36; Ricky Smyrnes, 23; Melvin Knight, 20; Amber Meidinger, 20; and a 17-year-old, all of Greensburg; and Peggy Darlene Miller, 27, of Mount Pleasant Township. All were being held without bond in the Westmoreland County prison.

Stepfather Bobby Murphy, 62, of Mount Pleasant, told The Associated Press that the victim had the mental abilities of a 12- to 14-year-old. Murphy said he was the last family member to see Daugherty alive, on Feb. 8, when he took her to get on a bus to Greensburg. She had a dentist there, as well as a counselor there who helped her with a mental disability, he said.

Murphy said that he's not sure which one Daugherty had an appointment with, but that later that day, she called home and asked permission to spend the night at "Peggy's" house. Murphy said his stepdaughter planned to return home Feb. 9.