"A judge has declared a mistrial in the case of five pro-Palestinian protesters arrested for breaking into and vandalizing the Stanford University president's office. The news Friday came after more than a week of jury deliberation. Jurors affirmed to Chew on Friday that more time to deliberate on the counts would not make a difference in the outcome, after which he declared the mistrial."
"A mistrial ends the case against the five current and former Stanford students, but Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen has the right to retry the case, which he said Friday he would do. The trial began on Jan. 9, and closing arguments wrapped on Jan. 30. Jury deliberations began on Feb. 2. During deliberation, jurors sent notes to Chew to let him know they were having trouble reaching consensus on the first count, asking for guidance. Chew encouraged them to continue deliberating and reach a verdict if they could. The jury also took a day off during the first week."
"The case stems from the actions by a group of what were originally 12 protesters, who were arrested on June 5, 2024, after they barricaded themselves inside the president's office at Stanford in the early morning hours. Defense attorneys focused their case on the motivations of the protesters, who they said were acting out of a humanitarian concern during what they view as an ongoing genocide, and fear that doing nothing would lead to more suffering in Gaza. Tony Brass, one of the attorneys, said the actions came only after Stanford leaders ignored months of demands for discussion about divestment from companies supporting Israel's military."
A judge declared a mistrial after jurors could not reach consensus in the case of five pro-Palestinian protesters charged with breaking into and vandalizing the Stanford president's office. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said he will retry the case. The trial began Jan. 9, closing arguments wrapped Jan. 30, and jury deliberations began Feb. 2. Jurors sent notes requesting guidance and took a day off during early deliberations. The defendants were among a group originally of 12 who were arrested June 5, 2024, after barricading themselves inside the president's office. Defense attorneys argued the actions were motivated by humanitarian concern and frustration over ignored divestment demands.
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