The former University of Hartford student accused of tormenting her roommate will not face jail time for her actions and could avoid a criminal record all together.
Brianna Brochu was arrested and charged with breach of peace and criminal mischief last year after posting a video to Instagram claiming she smeared bodily fluids on her former roommate, Chennel “Jazzy” Rowe’s, belongings and tampered with her personal items because the pair were not getting along.
After Brochu was picked up by West Hartford police, the local NAACP suggested the former college student be charged with a hate crime, but prosecutors decided against it.
“We don’t bring charges for personal purposes, we don’t bring charges for political purposes … vindictiveness, or to respond to demands from the public,” said Hartford State’s Attorney Gail Hardy.
Brochu’s lawyer, Thomas Stevens, apologized for his client’s actions and requested Judge Omar Williams sentence her to accelerated probation, which would result in her criminal charges being dismissed after two years if she meets all of the court’s requirements.
Rowe appeared at the hearing and told the judge she did not oppose Brochu’s request for accelerated probation, but admitted she’s had nightmares about Brochu’s “acts of hate” and now has trouble trusting others.
“By giving her this second chance, I hope she will change her ways and finds love for all mankind no matter what race,” Rowe said.
In spite of her conciliatory tone in court, Rowe took to Facebook to say she disagreed with the judge’s decision.
“She (Brochu) has little to no punishment in my eyes,” Rowe said. “They requested her to do that program before court today… My rejections to it wasn’t going to mean anything [because] she was eligible for it. I had requested she do certain things while the court granted her [accelerated probation] but my requests were denied.”
To meet the terms of her probation and have her charges against her dismissed, Brochu will have to perform 200 hours of community service and stay out of trouble for two years.