DailyProgress.com | UVa student sentenced for Rotunda... -
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Published on: 9/25/2004
Last Visited: 9/26/2004
University of Virginia graduate student Rich Felker, who was found guilty by student judges of disrupting a Chinese ambassador's speech, must not create any more disturbances at UVa if he wishes to avoid further trouble.
During an open trial late Thursday night, the University Judiciary Committee sentenced Felker, 22, to a suspension in abeyance - a sanction that bars a student from attending classes for a defined period if a second violation occurs.
A member of Students for a Free Tibet, Felker criticized the sentence and the university's actions following his April protest, during which he attempted to chain himself to a banister as Yang Jiechie spoke in the Rotunda.
Police officers and a member of the ambassador's security detail wrestled a padlock away from Felker, who began to yell and struggle as he was taken downstairs.
"All along, as this case has played out, I've been given the impression … that the university's motivation was not to punish a violation of the rules but to quiet potentially embarrassing political protests against their honored guests," Felker said Friday.
He added that the suspension in abeyance in effect prevents him from participating in some types of protest, although he said taking part in rallies would likely be permitted.
Angela Carrico, head of the UJC and a member of the five-person panel that judged the case, said the sentence was meant to deter Felker from disrupting further events.
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Felker also must complete 20 hours of community service with UVa's recycling department by the end of the year.
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Felker also accused UVa police Detective Sandy Hufford of making "gross exaggerations" in her testimony, which detailed how the student had kicked and screamed when confronted by authorities.
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"I feel her testimony painted a very inaccurate picture of the scene," Felker said.
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