Judge declares mistrial in Stanford student pro-Palestinian protests case
PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) -- A Santa Clara County judge declared a mistrial Friday in the case of five current and former Stanford University students charged with felonies after barricading themselves inside the president's and provost's offices amid pro-Palestinian protests.
"We protested on June 5, 2024 for a just cause, and we did not, frankly, commit the crimes that he accused the off," said German Gonzalez, defendant.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen in April of 2025, charged 12 people; most took plea deals or participated in court-diversion programs.
RELATED: Trial begins for Stanford students for occupying offices in pro-Palestinian protest
German Gonzalez is one of the five students who went to trial disputing the vandalism claims and saying that the protest was protected by free speech.
"This whole process has been incredibly draining. But at the end of the day, it's nothing compared to what people in Palestine and people in Gaza are going through. So no matter what, I'm going to keep pushing," said Gonzalez.
RELATED: Pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied Stanford president's office arraigned on felony charges
The three-week trial ended in an insurmountable deadlock, with the jury voting eight to four to convict on a felony charge of vandalism and nine to three to convict on a felony charge of conspiracy to trespass.
"That's a serious hang. This is not one stray juror," said Anthony Bass, one of several attorneys on the defense team. "The district attorney in the trial likened them to people who were vandalizing some stranger's Tesla. And I think, well, that misses the point completely."
RELATED: Stanford students arrested for barricading in president's office, allegedly leaving 'vile' graffiti
On Friday, the District Attorney announced he would pursue a new trial, saying the students' actions were against the law and merited a retrial.
The court has set a date for later this month to pick a new trial date.
