A white former Connecticut university student accused of smearing body fluids on her black roommate's belongings has been allowed into a probation program.
A state judge in Hartford on Monday granted 18-year-old Brianna Brochu's request for accelerated rehabilitation that could result in criminal charges being erased from her record.
Misdemeanor criminal mischief and breach of peace charges will be erased if she successfully completes two years of probation and 200 hours of community service.
Police said the former University of Hartford student wrote on Instagram in October about rubbing used tampons on her roommate's backpack and putting her roommate's toothbrush 'where the sun doesn't shine.'
Scroll down for video
Brianna Brochu, the former University of Hartford student accused of harassing her roommate by smearing bodily fluid on the roommate's backpack and tampering with other items, cries in court Monday, March 12, 2018 in Hartford
Chennel 'Jazzy' Rowe, Brochu's former college roommate, speaks at Brochu's hearing in Superior Court in Hartford on Monday
Rowe said that she did not oppose Brochu's request for accelerated rehabilitation. She is seen above leading the courtroom
Outside of Superior Court in Hartford, Rowe (at center left) joins a prayer circle with local clergy and NAACP members following Brochu's hearing, where Brochu received accelerated rehabilitation
She also called her roommate 'Jamaican Barbie,' and wrote that she put moldy clam dip in her roommate's lotions and spit in her coconut oil, police said.
Her roommate, Chennel Rowe, said she developed throat pain.
Rowe attended the court hearing and did not oppose the probation program request Monday, saying she hoped Brochu would 'change her ways.'
Civil rights advocates called for hate crime charges. State NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile called it 'blatant racism,' but Hartford State's Attorney Gail Hardy said there was no evidence of hate crimes.
RELATED ARTICLES
- Should you go paleo? Experts reveal the pros and cons of the... White Connecticut college student who smeared her used... Widow of cop slain by 'Black Nationalist' shares... 'I introduced Woody to Mia Farrow, but I will never work...
Share this article
Share 48k sharesBrochu (right) had been trying to force her roommate Rowe (left) out of their shared dorm
Brochu boasted about how she tormented her roommate on Instagram after she moved out and referred to her as 'Jamaican Barbie'
Brochu was expelled from the university after being arrested. Her lawyer has said that the abuse was not racially motivated
Brochu's attorney, Tom Stevens, has said Brochu and Rowe had a falling out and Brochu's actions were not racially motivated.
Both women had asked school officials for a change in roommates.
Stevens apologized on Brochu's behalf Monday. He said Brochu wanted to apologize sooner, but he advised her not to because of a potential civil lawsuit.
Brochu, of Harwinton, had told police her actions were in retaliation for Rowe's 'rude behavior' and Rowe posting videos of her sleeping and making fun of her snoring.
Brochu also told authorities that she did put tampon blood on Rowe's backpack and licked Rowe's plate, fork and spoon, but denied doing anything else.
She said she lied in the Instagram post in an attempt to 'appear funny,' a police report said.
Rowe (above documenting how Brochu tormented her in a Facebook video) is accused of starting the feud by posting a video of Brochu snoring on Snapchat
Brochu's lawyer said the case was one of two young students simply not getting along after being randomly placed together
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWKCdYWRcGlwZ3KhrqS3jKumqKWdlsGmecaonKxlk6TCs8CMjIyJiH%2BHoW7Dx6KrnmWnpLqiuoytpquspaeypXnHnqlnoKSiuQ%3D%3D