Court Orders Accused Williams College Vandal into Diversion Program
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Williams College student accused of an act of vandalism on campus on the morning of June's commencement exercises was assigned on Monday to a diversion program in Northern Berkshire District Court.
Liam Carey of Virginia was ordered to community service following a brief pretrial hearing via Zoom.
His lawyer, Luke Ryan of Northampton's Strehorn, Ryan and Hoose, appeared in person before Judge Paul Vrabel in a hearing that was continued from Aug. 11.
"After some extensive negotiations," the defendant and the district attorney's office agreed to a period of 50 hours of community service for Carey, Ryan told the court.
"Williams College representatives will be doing supervision of that," Ryan said.
An attorney with the district attorney's office confirmed to Vrabel that the commonwealth agreed to the terms.
Carey was arrested on the morning of Williams' graduation ceremony and subsequently charged with vandalism, destruction of property, trespass and resisting arrest.
In a July 2 filing with the court, Ryan asked that Carey be assigned to the diversion program outlined in Massachusetts General Law with his service work completed for the non-profit Earth Sangha of Annandale, Va.
After a 90-day stay in which defendants can complete their assigned community service, the law allows the presiding judge to dismiss the charges.
Vrabel ordered Carey to appear on Nov. 26 for a review of the report from the diversion program's director.
Tags: vandalism, Williams College,
