David Piegaro ’25 was found not guilty for simple assault in Princeton Municipal Court at a hearing Tuesday. This marks the end of a months-long judicial process for the current senior, who was first arrested last April in the aftermath of the occupation of Clio Hall.
“Since I have determined that the state has not determined its case beyond a reasonable doubt, in connection with the criminal intent element, I find it unnecessary to address the element of bodily injury. Therefore, I find the defendant not guilty of simple assault,” Judge John McCarthy III ’69 read to the court.
The case centered around a brief altercation between Piegaro and Assistant Vice President for Public Safety Kenneth Strother on the steps of Whig Hall on April 29. After several chaotic hours of demonstrations around the area, which culminated in protestors occupying Clio Hall, Piegaro attempted to listen in on and record a conversation between Strother, Professor Max Weiss, and Zia Mian, Co-Director of the Program in Science and Global Security.
Strother, Weiss, and Mian then tried to enter Whig Hall, and Piegaro attempted to follow. Before Piegaro could enter the building, he had a brief altercation with Strother, who attempted to prevent Piegaro’s entry to the building. What happened next was the central issue of the two-day trial. The prosecution argued that Piegaro had grabbed Strother’s arm when trying to enter the building, and he had fallen off the stairs in the ensuing scuffle. The defense, on the other hand, maintained that Strother had pushed Piegaro down the stairs.
Piegaro initially appeared in court on Feb. 4 and 5 for charges of simple assault and criminal trespass, though the trespass charge was later dropped. Multiple witnesses from the University’s Department of Public Safety and one faculty member testified for the prosecution, while several students testified for Piegaro. Of particular importance were the testimonies from Strother himself and Sarah Kwartler GS, the only defense witness who had seen the altercation.
In his verdict, McCarthy explained that there were two significant questions to consider in regard to the decision. The first was whether Piegaro caused bodily injury to Strother, and the second was whether he acted intentionally.
In accordance with New Jersey law, any bodily injury must be performed “purposely, knowingly, or recklessly.” McCarthy found that because Piegaro primarily intended to enter Whig Hall, he did not intentionally cause harm to Strother.
McCarthy added, “Given the circumstances, the state has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had the specific intent to cause bodily injury or that he acted with awareness of reckless disregard or a substantial risk of such injury occurring.”
However, McCarthy still said that Piegaro’s actions were “confrontational” and “ill-advised.”
“Sir, I hope you take this as a lesson. I think an apology would be appropriate,” McCarthy said. “If you had engaged with law enforcement in different jurisdictions, I think the results would’ve been far more serious, potentially involving significant injury.”
McCarthy additionally suggested that the Scottish judiciary’s practice of the “not-proven” verdict would have been applicable for Piegaro’s situation. McCarthy explained that such a verdict “carries an implication of lingering doubt about a defendant’s innocence – this verdict has been described as meaning ‘not-guilty’ but don’t do it again.”
“The sentiment serves as a cautionary note,” McCarthy said. “I would advise you to reflect on your actions and consider this experience as a warning to exercise better judgement in the future.”
This concludes months of deliberating for Piegaro.
“It’s been a really difficult year, and I think I was just very relieved that it was finally over, that I no longer had a criminal prosecution hanging over my head. And I feel like I stood by what I think is the truth and my principles,” Piegaro told The Daily Princetonian.
He added, “I really am just super grateful for many faculty members who have been really supportive, my friends who have been really supportive, family, girlfriend.” On the days of the trial, his mother, girlfriend, and friends were seen appearing at court.
Piegaro also said that, with regard to Strother, “I certainly would like to see accountability.”
Piegaro is looking forward to turning his attention to finishing his thesis in the Economics Department and enjoying the rest of his time at Princeton.
“I kind of feel like I lost a huge portion of my senior year, and I think that finally, this burden has been lifted, and I really want to try my best to enjoy my last month or so at Princeton,” Piegaro said.
Christopher Bao is a head News editor for the ‘Prince.’ He is from Princeton, N.J. and typically covers town politics and life.
Luke Grippo is a senior News writer for the ‘Prince.’ He is from South Jersey and usually covers administrative issues, including Undergraduate Student Government, the Council of the Princeton University Community, and institutional legacy.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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