California AG to drop felony charges against Stanford protesters

The California attorney general's office said Monday that felony charges against five pro-Palestinian protesters will be dismissed if each completes 100 hours of community service and combined restitution of about $52,000 is paid to Stanford University. The five defendants, one current and four former Stanford students, faced felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass charges after demonstrators barricaded themselves inside the university president's and provost's executive offices for several hours on June 5, 2024. A mistrial was declared in February after jurors could not reach a verdict. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen had said he planned to pursue a new trial, but defense attorneys argued that his comments and campaign fundraising, which tied the prosecution to fighting antisemitism, created a conflict of interest. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Kelley Paul removed Rosen in May and transferred the case to the state attorney general's office. Attorney General Rob Bonta's office announced the resolution Monday. According to a statement on behalf of the demonstrators, the restitution has already been paid.