Three of the Stanford pro-Palestinian protesters took a plea deal today (Feb. 23) that will keep them out of jail for vandalizing the office of the university’s president.
Kaiden Wang, Gretchen Giumarin and Cameron Pennington pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vandalism and conspiracy after Judge Deborah Ryan agreed to reduce the charges down from felonies. They will have to perform community service and pay restitution. Judge Ryan will determine how much in restitution and the parameters of the trio’s community service at their Sept. 9 sentencing hearing.
This comes two weeks after Judge Hanley Chew declared a mistrial in the case of five of the other protesters — German Gonzalez, Maya Burke, Taylor McCann, Hunter Taylor-Black and Amy Zhai.
Judge Chew declared the jury “hopelessly deadlocked” after five days of deliberation at the San Jose courthouse. Jurors were divided 8-4 for guilt on a conspiracy charge and 9-3 for guilt on a vandalism charge.
Judge Chew declared the jury “hopelessly deadlocked” after five days of deliberation at the San Jose courthouse. Jurors were divided 8-4 for guilt on a conspiracy charge and 9-3 for guilt on a vandalism charge.
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker said jurors should convict the five because they intentionally planned to take over the offices on June 5, 2024, to use as leverage to cause Stanford to sell investments in companies that sell products to the Israel Defense Forces, such as Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Protesters had splattered fake blood and broke windows, doors and furniture on June 5, putting the damage at more than $300,000, according to the DA’s office.
But defense attorney Avi Singh, who represents Gonzalez, insists the occupation was peaceful and only meant to raise awareness about the students’ desire to have Stanford sell its stock in companies that do business with Israel.
One defendant, 21-year-old John Thomas Richardson of Menlo Park, pleaded no contest under an agreement that allows eligible youth to have their cases dismissed and records sealed if they successfully complete probation. He testified for the prosecution during the grand jury proceedings. His case has been continued to May 27.
Please note that only the remaining defendants’ LAWYER said what they “intended.” None of them took the stand so we don’t know what they “intended.” But “intent” in this case only means whether what happened was “by accident” or not. It doesn’t mean “we only wanted to get Stanford to listen and to divest but we never meant for any damage to happen.” The element of “intent” clearly confused the jury (or, even worse, the three jurors were willing to ignore the instructions and hence the law, which is very disturbing.
I believe that ALL defendants could have pleaded out the same way as today but chose not to do so. So the question then is “why?” Clearly, just to make a “political” statement and a big (useless) noise.
If you followed the case closely, the reason why I think jury was hung is precisely because they followed the law. There was no evidence directing WHO (if any) among the five on trail was responsible for the damage. There was a plausible explanation that one of the students who took the plea deal. And with that ambiguity came reasonable doubt.
Kikiriki is right. The protesters aren’t responsible for the vandalism. Somebody else broke into that building and tore up the president’s office. Or maybe it happened spontaneously? But you can’t blame these “Death to Israel, Death to America” protesters. This office would have been vandalized whether those protesters were there or not!
Can a Stanford Stanford Stanford Harvard Harvard Yale Yale Yale – degree
Buy buy buy gas gas gas @ gas station
1 these are full – time protesters
2 once graduated – these people will work @ Taco Bell @ Burger King @ homeless shelter
3 can a college- degree
Gas gas gas @ gas station
Yes – no
People have jobs + work to do
Who has time to protest
Do these prople to work for living
Most people have 9 6 jobs
Monday – Saturday
Who has time time time
Taco taco taco @ gas station