UMass students plead not guilty in arraignments

13 UMass students were arraigned Tuesday morning after allegedly taking part in a riot on the UMass campus last Sunday.  All of the students were released on personal recognizance shortly after their arrest.  

On Tuesday morning, 12 men and one woman all entered not guilty pleas in Eastern Hampshire District Court; among the youngest, three 18-year-olds.  All of them are UMass students, and all were arrested during a celebration following the Super Bowl Sunday night.

“Historically in some of the games in other countries people have actually been killed, like over soccer games and things like that, and I think at times it could escalate to that if people think it's ok to act out in violence when they are upset about something,” said Sharon McCutchen of Charlemont.  

12 of the 13 students are from Massachusetts, the charges they face range from inciting a riot to disorderly conduct.  University officials told 22News the prosecuting evidence will be used in the student’s review.

“That information that was used in their prosecution will be shared with our Dean of Students Office and the Dean of Students Office will take up each of those cases for possible disciplinary action,” said Daniel Fitzgibbons, associate director of news at UMass Amherst.  

In a news release sent to 22News on Tuesday, Dean of Students Enku Gelaye said she will move quickly to discipline those students involved in the disturbance.  Under the school's Code of Conduct disciplinary action could range from suspension to expulsion; a punishment some area residents say may be too harsh.

“If somebody did really transgress in a serious way then that's different, but if it was just a kind of almost understandable emotional outburst of youthful exuberance, then it's something different,” said Jerry Leshko of Northampton. 

Pre-trial hearings are scheduled for March 1st and March 2nd.