2 freshmen sentenced for role in prank
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Hudson
Dudley
Two MSU freshman were sentenced Wednesday in the Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing on charges stemming from a November 2009 prank.
Premedical freshman Olivia Hudson was charged with one count of transporting an illegal firework and economics freshman Darby Dudley was charged with one count of using a firework without a valid permit.
Both charges are misdemeanor offenses.
Hudson and Dudley were sentenced to 18 months of probation, 40 hours of community service and fined $643, a court clerk said. If they successfully complete probation, both are eligible to have the charges removed from their permanent records.
The charges stem from a Nov. 1, 2009, incident where Hudson, Dudley, communicative sciences and disorders freshman Sasha Savage and political science and pre-law freshman Nikolai Wasielewski allegedly threw a firework into the yard of another MSU student living on Grove Street in East Lansing as a prank.
Hudson’s attorney, Jim Witzel said his client was sorry for what she had done, and Hudson was glad the ordeal was over.
“She’s very responsible and she feels bad about her decision,” Witzel said.
Dudley’s lawyer, Daniel Doneth, did not return calls Wednesday.
Witzel said Hudson temporarily had been suspended from the university, but now is reinstated.
He said his client was overcharged initially. In November, all four students allegedly involved were given felony charges, with maximum penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
Hudson and Dudley were offered plea bargains to reduce the charges to misdemeanors. Wasielewski, who has maintained his innocence, is scheduled to begin trial on March 15 in the Ingham County Circuit Court. Savage initially said in November she planned to take a plea bargain similar to those of Hudson and Dudley.
However, she has yet to appear in front of a judge and it is unclear whether she will go to trial.
According to court records, she is scheduled to appear in court again on March 15 for a criminal trial with a jury.
Witzel said he and Hudson are happy with the sentencing and that Hudson is “a quality kid.”
“This thing got way overblown,” he said.
Commentary
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waste
(03/03/10 12:45pm)Report
what a waste of time. they should have received a warning and been sent on their way.
but waste, don't you realize....
(03/03/10 1:11pm)Report
that East Lansing hates students and always has policies against them? Even though East Lansing is an absolute dump, and if it were not for the students, the city would be even a sadder excuse for a city than its already pathetic situation.
A.Walker
(03/03/10 3:22pm)Report
Hopefully these 2 students can put this behind them. Thank goodness they didn’t have to serve jail time.
a
(03/03/10 5:01pm)Report
That will look great on a med school application.
alum'80
(03/04/10 11:15am)Report
Yeah, I would have to agree. Definite overkill here. But the City of E. Lansing was like that in the 70’s too. The same dictators must be in power… good luck to the three.
PD
(03/04/10 11:25am)Report
Looking farther ahead than the med school application, the girl will have to disclose this on her state license application, regardless of whether it is “removed” or expunged from her record. If she does not disclose, it could be problematic because her medical references are required to disclose information such as the conviction if they are aware (they risk suspension or revocation). Finally, someone could simply bring it to the board’s attention and boom, like a firecracker, you are facing revocation of license.
Hey State News
(03/04/10 2:47pm)Report
You can stop using the word “allegedly”. They’ve admitted guilt and were convicted of the crime.
Put up or shut up
(03/04/10 2:53pm)Report
I’m sick of hearing MSU student’s complain about East Lansing and how they have no voice. For crying out loud, the student population is like 10 times that of the year round city residents. Organize the student body, get them to vote in elections, put students in city council seats— do something about it. Just stop complaining and acting helpless.
marsh249
(03/04/10 3:17pm)Report
I am glad our students let off fireworks. They are normal young people doing their thing. It is their time. Don’t get angry about it. They do a lot of good around here building homes and helping the hungry needy also. The pre-med student probably does volunteer work (or at least will to be a med candidate) Our MSU students are good Michigan people who like to have a good time.
marsh249
(03/04/10 3:19pm)Report
BTW I am an ELAN homeowner who hears fireworks all the time at night.
FeLLOW TRAVELER
(03/04/10 7:16pm)Report
As another E Lansing resident who likes the vast majority of students, I echo the “get out and vote” comment. The current E. L. Council has only a couple of people with MSU affiliation and that means little sympathy with students. We have had much, much better councils in the past, including someone like Sam Singh, who started while a student and did a great job as mayor at about age 22, with a real interest in serving the community, unlike the current mayor who only cares about furthering his own interests and those of his developer pals.