HARTFORD, Conn. — A University of
Connecticut student committed an act of terrorism by posting Internet
messages telling people to “stop the snitching” after the stabbing
death of football player Jasper Howard, university police said Thursday.
Christopher Mutchler, an 18-year-old freshman
from Wethersfield, faces charges of hindering prosecution, committing
an act of terrorism and several misdemeanors. He is due in court Nov.
10.
The messages were found Oct. 20, posted on an
ESPNU news page about the stabbing and a Facebook wall set up for
mourners to leave condolence messages.
“STOP the snitching and post the names of
anyone you know who gave information to the cops,” read one
profanity-laced posting on the ESPNU site. “jazz didnt deserve do die
the person who killed him didnt intend to kill HIM anyone who snitched
should face the social consequences.”
Over 8,000 people visited the Facebook wall,
and police say they had reason to believe the messages were instilling
fear and preventing witnesses from coming forward.
“Although his motive for the postings was
unclear, it has been determined that Mutchler had no link or relation
to others arrested in this case and his threats were termed empty
threats,” UConn police said in a news release.
A man answering the phone at Mutchler’s house Thursday would not comment.
A Bloomfield man, 21-year-old John Lomax III,
was charged this week with murder. He is being held on a $2 million
bond as is due back in court on Nov. 13.
Two of his friends also face charges. Hakim
Muhammad, 20, of Bloomfield, is charged with conspiracy to commit
assault, and Johnny Hood, 21, of Hartford, is accused of interfering
with police and breach of peace.
A fourth man, Jamal Todd, 21, of Hartford, is
accused of pulling the fire alarm at the dance. He faces charges of
falsely reporting an incident and reckless endangerment.
None of those four are UConn students.
The university is investigating to determine
whether Mutchler violated its code of conduct, said spokesman Mike
Kirk. If he is found in violation, he could face punishment ranging
from a warning to expulsion from the school, Kirk said.