A trial has begun in Santa Clara County Superior Court for five current and former Stanford University students facing felony charges tied to a June 5, 2024 pro-Palestinian protest on campus. These defendants were part of a larger group originally arrested after they occupied the offices of the Stanford president and provost, allegedly breaking into the building and causing property damage.
Prosecutors charge the group with felony vandalism and felony conspiracy to trespass, stemming from actions that allegedly included spray-painting walls, breaking windows and furniture, disabling security cameras, and splattering a red liquid described as fake blood throughout the offices of top administrators. The university is seeking nearly $329,000 in restitution for the claimed damage.
Of the original 12 individuals arrested in connection with the incident, one accepted a no-contest plea under a youth offender program and testified for the prosecution, helping secure grand jury indictments against the remaining 11. Six of those 11 accepted pretrial plea deals or diversion programs, leaving the five now facing trial after entering not guilty pleas.
Defense attorneys, including the lawyer for Stanford student Germán González, say their clients are exercising their constitutional right to a jury trial and argue that the prosecutors must prove every element of the felony charges — including intent — beyond a reasonable doubt.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen has emphasized that free speech is protected, but said vandalism and criminal acts will be prosecuted. He noted that while nationwide campus demonstrations over Gaza and Middle East policy have led to many arrests, most charges were ultimately dropped at other schools.
The case has drawn broader attention because most protests tied to Gaza and divestment efforts across U.S. campuses have not resulted in felony prosecutions. This Stanford case is now proceeding to trial, making it a relatively rare instance of serious criminal charges being litigated long after student demonstrations last year.
