Coalition protests outside DA's office

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The Western Massachusetts Coalition for Justice for Jason staged a demonstration in Northampton Wednesday afternoon.

Chanting "Justice for Jason," the coalition marched from Pulaski Park to the District Attorney's office where they dropped off a petition with thousands of signatures demanding charges be dropped against Jason Vassel.

Vassell, a former UMass student, is awaiting trial on two counts of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon. If he is found guilty, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

The charges stem from a February incident where two Caucasian males, who were not UMass students, allegedly used racial epithets against Jason and beat him. In alleged self defense, Vassell stabbed the two men with a pocket knife.

The alleged aggressors are Jonathan Bosse and John Bowes. Bowes has been charged with four misdemeanors, Bosse has not been charged with anything.

Hampshire and Franklin County District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel made a statement to 22News on Wednesday:

"Often community members will draw conclusions about a case without having the knowledge or benefit of all the facts of the case. The case is pending in Hampshire County Superior Court and is scheduled for a hearing in January 2009. This case as all others is being litigated in a court of law. As such, all legal avenues are available to Jason Vassell. To date, there has been no motion filed in court by the defendent's attorney requesting for the case to be dismissed, for lack of evidence supporting the indictment. If they had, the facutal and legal issues raised would be decided after a full hearing. All victims or defendents, regardless of popularity have a right to a fair trial before an impartial jury."