Jury Fails to Reach Verdict in Felony Vandalism Trial
A judge has declared a mistrial in a high-profile protest case linked to Stanford University. The ruling came after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
The case involved five current and former students. They were charged over their role in the 2024 pro-Palestinian campus protests. Demonstrators had barricaded themselves inside the university president’s office.
The trial took place at the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The defendants faced felony vandalism and felony conspiracy to trespass charges.
Jurors were unable to agree on a final decision. The vote stood at nine to three in favour of conviction on the vandalism charge. On the trespass charge, the jury split eight to four. After extended deliberations, the court declared a mistrial.
Twelve protesters were originally charged in the case last year. Prosecutors alleged that at least one individual broke a window to enter the building. Police arrested 13 people on June 5, 2024, in connection with the protest.
University officials said the building sustained extensive damage. Prosecutors claimed the destruction cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Prosecutors Seek Retrial as Defence Cites Free Speech
Jeff Rosen said the case centred on unlawful property damage. He stated that destroying property violates the law regardless of political motive. Rosen confirmed he intends to seek a new trial.
The remaining defendants had either accepted plea deals or entered diversion programmes. The five individuals in this trial chose to contest the charges in court.
Anthony Brass, a defence lawyer, told The New York Times that the case was about more than property damage. He said the protest highlighted demands for transparency and ethical investment.
Brass argued that activism should not be criminalised. He described the mistrial as a win for free speech and young activists. He emphasised that his clients were motivated by humanitarian concerns.
The protest took place during a wave of campus demonstrations across the United States in 2024. Students demanded an end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Protesters also called on universities to divest from companies supporting Israel.
During the Stanford protest, demonstrators renamed the building “Dr Adnan’s Office.” The name honoured Adnan Al Bursh, a Palestinian doctor who died in Israeli detention after months in custody.
More than 3,000 people were arrested nationwide during the 2024 pro-Palestinian campus protests, according to media tallies. The Stanford case was considered one of the most serious due to the felony charges.
The mistrial leaves the legal process unresolved. Prosecutors must now decide how to proceed. The outcome may influence how similar campus protest cases are handled in the future.
Free speech, campus activism, and criminal law remain at the centre of the debate. Universities across the country continue to face pressure over political expression and student demonstrations.
