In case you missed it: University of Hartford student poisoning case

By Shauna Golden

Over the weekend, a University of Hartford student was arrested for a hate crime she committed against her roommate.

According to the Hartford Courant, freshman Brianna Brochu was arrested by the West Hartford Police Department. She was charged with third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace. Brochu confessed to police that she was guilty of licking her former roommate’s eating utensils and smearing body fluids on her backpack.

In a press release sent out by the university, President Gregory S. Woodward said, “Acts of racism, bullying, or other abusive behaviors will not be tolerated on (the campus).” Gregory also added that he would do “everything in his power to work with the community to address related concerns together.”

The victim of the crime, Chennel “Jazzy” Rowe, posted a video to Facebook in which she described her experiences with her former roommate. Throughout the video, Rowe explains how unwelcome she constantly felt in her own room.

Rowe’s story gained a large following on social media. On Twitter, users began adding the hashtag #JusticeforJazzy to their tweets to ensure Rowe’s story would be heard and her former roommate would be punished for her crimes. 

Brochu will appear in Hartford Superior Court on Nov. 15. According to the Boston Globe, she is currently out on $1,000 bail. 

In the mean time, there will be a “March for Justice” on Nov. 8 that will begin at 5 p.m. The march will begin at the University of Hartford and end at the West Hartford Police Department.