The Connecticut NAACP chapter is calling for a hate crime charge to be filed against the white college student who who jeopardized the health of her black roommate by secretly smearing body fluids on her personal belongings and contaminating her skincare products.
Former University of Hartford student Brianna Brochu was arrested for tormenting Chennel “Jazzy” Rowe for weeks, using disgusting tactics to force her roommate — whom she reportedly referred to as “Jamaican Barbie”— to move out.
The NAACP chapter believes Brochu’s actions were racially motivated says the teen caused physical harm and intimidation to Rowe because she is Black. Brochu, meanwhile, was permanently expelled from the university shortly after Rowe’s disturbing story went viral.
Local police in West Hartford said last week that they were indeed seeking a hate crime charge against Brochu. However, NAACP and state leaders met with State Attorney Gail Hardy this week and were told that the District Attorney’s office hasn’t received a hate crime charge request from the police department, according to NBC Connecticut.
“They’re playing a game,” NAACP Connecticut chapter President Scot Esdaile said. “They’re going back and forth with the hot potato not wanting to make a decision.”
Hartford State’s Attorney Gail Hardy says the police are waiting to talk with Rowe before deciding how to proceed, the Associated Press reports.
Local officials are now demanding that the charge be filed before the next hearing, which is scheduled to take place later on this month.