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Contrary to attorney’s expectations, Hamilton student’s criminal charge was not reduced

Nicole Greenberg ’25, Editor-in-Chief • February 27, 2025

Photo courtesy of Flickr. The Oneida County Courthouse, where Brenden’s trial is expected to continue, is located at 200 Elizabeth Street in Utica, New York.

The criminal trial proceedings involving Hamilton student Adyn Brenden will advance to the Oneida County Court. The student’s attorney Robert Schecter confirmed the update during a phone call with Justice Jay G. Williams III ’83, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Tricario and a representative of The Spectator on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

In Oct. 2024, Brenden was charged with one count of Aggravated Harassment 1st Degree (class “E” felony) for defacing the Crossroads Community Mural Project with antisemitic remarks. Brenden, class of 2027, was suspended from Hamilton College after being identified as a suspect in the “vandalism and defacing of college property with hate speech,” according to a public statement put out by President Steven Tepper on Oct. 14. Since the arrest, Brenden’s arraignment and preliminary proceedings have occurred at the Kirkland Town Court under the jurisdiction of Williams.

In New York State, town courts have criminal jurisdiction over violations and misdemeanors, and town court justices can hold arraignments and preliminary hearings for those charged with more serious crimes. Criminal trials for those charged with felonies, like Brenden, must occur in county courts.

Schecter initially expressed belief that Brenden’s sentence would be reduced from a felony during Brenden’s previous hearing on Jan. 28. However, the prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Kurt Schultz, will not reduce Brenden’s sentence from a felony, Schecter said during the Feb. 25 phone call. This means the case will move forward to the county court. However, Schecter stated that he plans to file a motion to dismiss the case.

Justice Williams explained that Brenden has waived his right to an indictment by a grand jury—a trial that typically determines whether there is enough evidence to charge somebody with a crime. A defendant may waive their right to a grand jury trial “to resolve the case swiftly or keep it out of the local news” or “to minimize public exposure,” according to Los Angeles Criminal Defense Firm Cron, Israels & Stark.

The Spectator will monitor as the case moves to the Oneida County Court.