Source: Buyenlarge / Getty
As a parent, I am deeply disturbed by this story, and I hope we get #JusticeforJazzy. Please share this story.
A white University of Hartford freshman was arrested and now faces a hate crime charge after her black roommate said she was systematically poisoned over the first few weeks of the school year, apparently in an effort to get her to move out.
Brianna Brochu, 18, of Harwinton, Connecticut, was arrested by the West Hartford Police Department on October 28 and charged with second-degree breach of peace and third-degree criminal mischief, both misdemeanors, state court records show. On November 1, after the case gained national attention, West Hartford Police said “after a review” they will be requesting an added charge of intimidation based on bigotry or bias, a second-degree felony.
Brochu admitted to police that she licked her roommate’s “plate, fork and spoon, put tampon blood on (her) backpack, put her toothbrush where the “sun don’t shine,” and mixed Rowe’s lotions with moldy clam dip out of “spite.”
In an Instagram post, Brochu said she had successfully driven away her “Jamaican Barbie” roommate and provided details of how she poisoned her roommate over time. Jazzy Rowe, the roommate, shared what happened to her in a Facebook post on Monday.
Rowe told police she had been experiencing what she described as severe throat pain, to the point that she visited UHART Health Services for evaluation. Rowe stated that she tested negative for strep throat and Mono, however the urse told her there was ‘bacteria present in her throat.’ On some days, her throat pain was so bad she could even speak. Rowe could not elaborate further on this subject, but felt her throat pain was a result of Brochu tampering wiuth her personal items. Rowe also confirmed that her backpack was still stained with blood.
Brochu appeared in Hartford Community Court on Wednesday before Judge Tammy Geathers. The community court is typically where minor cases are heard and end with community service and eventually lead to the charges being dropped and expunged. The state prosecutor said her office has decided to move the case to Hartford Superior Court, the criminal where more serious charges are heard, because of the “severity” of the allegations. Brochu is currently free on $1,000 bail.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news and events. Follow me on social media @AlwaysAskAsia. #AskAsia #AlwaysAskAsia
