HARTFORD, Conn. — Brianna Brochu, the former University of Hartford student accused of harassing her roommate by smearing bodily fluid on the roommate’s backpack and tampering with other items, received a special form of probation Monday that could allow her to avoid a criminal record.
Her former roommate, Chennel “Jazzy” Rowe, attended Brochu’s hearing in Superior Court in Hartford and said she did not oppose Brochu’s request for accelerated rehabilitation. Brochu will have to perform 200 hours of community service — including 50 at a literacy organization in Greater Hartford and 50 at a social services group. If she completes those requirements and stays out of trouble, the charges of breach of peace and criminal mischief will be dismissed after two years.
Brochu, of Harwinton, must also have no contact with Rowe and submit to a mental-health evaluation.
Rowe said she was traumatized by Brochu’s actions spoke, which she called “acts of hate.” She said they resulted in nightmares but that by giving Brochu a “second chance, I hope she will change her ways.”
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Brochu’s lawyer, Thomas Stevens, apologized on her behalf and said Brochu had wanted to apologize and “express her regret” sooner but he directed her not to out of concern over possible civil litigation.
The state did not take a position on the request for accelerated rehabilitation. State’s Attorney Gail Hardy defended her office from criticism for not filing hate-crime charges. Brochu is white and Rowe is black. Hardy said the state was unable to find any evidence Brochu harassed Rowe because of race or ethnicity. “The state does not being criminal charges for personal or political reasons,” said Hardy.
Brochu, who was expelled from the university, was charged by West Hartford police with breach of peace and criminal mischief. She had pleaded not guilty.
Brochu, told police that she did not have a good relationship with Rowe. Brochu claimed Rowe was rude to her and posted videos online of her snoring to make fun of her.
The NAACP and others have publicly supported Rowe and had urged Hartford prosecutors to file a hate crime charge against Brochu.
Brochu told police she lashed out at Rowe and said she licked her plate, fork and spoon, put blood from a used tampon on her backpack, and mixed her lotions with other lotions from Rowe’s desk.
Rowe told police that Brochu “generally ignored her and treated her as a ghost,” according to the warrant for Brochu’s arrest. She had asked for a room change and was moving her belongings out of the room when Brochu’s Instagram post describing her alleged conduct surfaced.
Both women had asked the University of Hartford to give them different roommates.
