MSU student given mixed riot verdict

A 21-year-old MSU student received a mixed verdict Tuesday for his participation in April’s Cedar Fest riot.

Jordan A. Williams was found guilty by a jury for the misdemeanor offense of disorderly conduct by obstructing, resisting or hindering a police officer.

He was found not guilty of the misdemeanor offense of disorderly conduct by assembling for riot.

MSU police Officer Mike Cantrell testified to spraying Williams with tear gas after Williams approached a crowd of police officers wearing a gas mask.

“If I hadn’t been wearing a gas mask, I wouldn’t have been arrested,” Williams said.

After Williams was sprayed with tear gas, he fell down and got up again to approach the line of police officers, Cantrell said.

But defense attorney Steven Howard said Williams was unfairly picked out of the crowd.

“He flunked the attitude test and just pissed off the officers. That’s what this is all about,” Howard said.

Williams had been drinking casually with his friends before he approached Cedar Street around 2:30 a.m. on April 6.

When his girlfriend left the apartment to check on her car, Williams said he was worried about her and went to find her.

“After a few minutes I heard some explosions and assumed they were flash-bangs. I was worried because my girlfriend wasn’t with me,” Williams said.

His actions at the riot were not worthy of arrest, Howard said.

David Meyers, assistant city attorney for East Lansing, said the case was about preventing similar events in the future.

“I hope it hinders people in the future from doing the same type of conduct. I understand that it’s a college town with parties and tailgates, but when it goes overboard it’s nice to have community support,” he said.

Published on Tuesday, September 2, 2008