Lawyers deliver closing arguments in case of five activists accused of felony vandalism at Stanford

"Prosecutors and defense attorneys presented closing arguments this week in the trial of five pro-Palestine activists accused of felony vandalism at Stanford University's executive offices, with defense attorneys arguing that prosecutors failed to prove the charge. The trial is nearing its conclusion three weeks after it began and nearly two years after 13 people were arrested for allegedly damaging the offices during a June 2024 protest urging Stanford to divest from companies linked to Israel."

"Witnesses included fellow protester John Richardson, who took a plea deal, and Stanford facilities director Mitch Bousson, who testified about the extent of the damage, which the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office estimates at more than $300,000. The defendants did not testify. Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker urged jurors to evaluate the alleged property damage independently of the protest's political aims, arguing that free speech protections do not extend to criminal conduct."

"Defense attorney Avi Singh, who represents German Gonzalez, countered that the activists' actions amounted to a peaceful sit-in focused on safety and negotiation rather than a criminal occupation. Singh argued that prosecutors failed to prove the alleged crime or show the specific intent required for felony vandalism or conspiracy. Responding to the prosecution's repeated refrain that dissent is American, vandalism is criminal, Singh told jurors the government does not get to decide what's American and un-American, dissent and not dissent, adding, You decide whether their dissent is criminal."

Prosecutors and defense attorneys presented closing arguments in a trial over alleged felony vandalism at Stanford University's executive offices by five pro-Palestine activists. The alleged damage occurred during a June 2024 protest urging Stanford to divest from companies linked to Israel, and 13 people were arrested at that time. Witnesses included a protester who took a plea deal and Stanford facilities director Mitch Bousson, whose testimony contributed to a county estimate of more than $300,000 in damage. Prosecutors urged jurors to separate property damage from political aims, while defense attorneys characterized the actions as a peaceful sit-in and said prosecutors failed to prove felony vandalism or requisite intent. The defendants did not testify.

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