UConn protester’s case sealed

Six more involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations plead not guilty

Vernon — A University of Connecticut student arrested April 30 over the refusal of pro-Palestinian demonstrators to remove tents from university property had her case sealed from public view Wednesday, while six other arrested students and former students had not-guilty pleas entered for them and requested “discovery” of the prosecution’s evidence.

Lawyer Aaron Romano entered the not-guilty pleas for the six defendants he represented in state Superior Court in Vernon. Romano said he also represents a number of defendants in similar cases who are to be arraigned in the days to come.

The sealing of a criminal case from public view frequently is an indication that the defendant has applied for a pretrial diversion program, such as accelerated rehabilitation, that can lead to dismissal of the charges after an effort at rehabilitation.

A total of 25 people were arrested April 30 in the UConn protests, according to the university.

“We’re just curious to see what the evidence is and whether a crime was committed,” Romano said after court.

Three of the defendants declined to comment.

All seven defendants arraigned Wednesday are charged with first-degree criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors, online court records show. First-degree criminal trespass carries up to 364 days in prison and a $2,000 fine, while disorderly conduct carries up to three months in prison and a $500 fine.

All seven had been released after their arrests on $1,000 non-surety bonds, meaning that they did not have to post money or property but will be charged that amount if they fail to appear in court when required.

Five of the seven are enrolled UConn students, while one graduated this spring and one most recently was enrolled in the fall 2023 semester, according to university spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz.

Outside the Park Street criminal courthouse Tuesday, Jackie Allen of the Hartford Catholic Worker community conducted a one-woman demonstration in support of the UConn demonstrators. She said leaders of the Catholic Worker’s youth tutoring and mentoring programs, including a Saturday sports programs, are writing letters of support for the students to give eventually to the judge.

A much larger contingent of supporters of the students was in the courtroom. As they left, some talking among themselves, judicial marshals warned them that court was still in session.

Later, with the courtroom doors still open, applause broke out in the courthouse lobby. From inside the courtroom, Judge Moira Buckley admonished the group that applause was not allowed in the courthouse.

The university said in a statement at the time of the arrests that it had “shared guidelines with protest organizers for large outdoor gatherings” on April 26. The guidelines said such gatherings were permitted but added that “safety, health, and basic community standards need to be recognized and maintained.”

“In the days that followed, some at the gathering violated those guidelines by erecting tents,” the university statement said, adding that the tents numbered about 20 at one point and that the protesters continued to use amplified sound.

“The group was warned multiple times over a period of days that while they were free to be in the space and exercise their free speech rights, the guidelines needed to be followed and the tents needed to be taken down. This was ignored,” the statement continued, adding that UConn police directed the demonstrators four times to remove the tents and disperse.

When all those warnings were ignored, police officers “entered the site to remove the tents and tarps, and to arrest those who refused compliance,” the statement said.