A California judge declared a mistrial Friday in the high-profile case against five Stanford University students and alumni connected to the 2024 pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations. The decision came after jurors failed to reach unanimous verdicts on felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass charges stemming from an occupation of the university president’s office.
The case originated from June 5, 2024, when campus police arrested 13 individuals following a protest where demonstrators barricaded themselves inside the administrative building, causing what university officials described as ‘extensive’ property damage. Prosecutors alleged participants broke windows to gain entry, resulting in initial felony vandalism charges against twelve protesters.
Throughout the three-week trial in Santa Clara County Superior Court, the prosecution argued the defendants engaged in deliberate property destruction exceeding $100,000 in damages. ‘This case concerns individuals who willfully destroyed others’ property, which remains unlawful regardless of political motivations,’ District Attorney Jeff Rosen stated, confirming his office would seek a retrial.
Defense attorneys framed the incident as an act of conscience rather than criminal behavior. Anthony Brass, representing one protester, told reporters: ‘This outcome represents a victory for ethical advocacy and free speech principles. We maintain that humanitarian activism should not be criminalized.’
The deadlocked jury voted 9-3 for conviction on vandalism charges and 8-4 on conspiracy counts, revealing significant division in interpreting the events. Prior to trial, seven other defendants had accepted plea agreements or diversion programs.
The Stanford demonstration formed part of broader 2024 campus protests across U.S. universities, where over 3,000 participants were arrested nationwide. Protesters had symbolically renamed the occupied building ‘Dr. Adnan’s Office’ honoring Adnan Al-Bursh, a Palestinian physician who died in Israeli custody.