Jury Deadlocked in Trial of Stanford Students After 2024 Pro-Palestinian Protests

Judge declares mistrial after jurors fail to reach verdict on felony charges of vandalism and conspiracy to trespass.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A judge has declared a mistrial in the case of five current and former Stanford University students charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass after pro-Palestinian protests in 2024. The jury was deadlocked, with an 8-4 vote to convict on the vandalism charge and a 9-3 vote to convict on the conspiracy charge. The judge dismissed the jurors after they said more deliberation would not help them reach a verdict.

Why it matters

The trial is a rare instance of demonstrators facing felony charges stemming from the wave of campus protests that occurred in 2024, raising questions about the limits of free speech and the criminalization of protest activities.

The details

During the 2024 protests, the demonstrators barricaded themselves inside the offices of the Stanford University president and provost. Prosecutors said the students broke furniture and splattered a red liquid described as fake blood on items throughout the offices. Defense lawyers argued the protest was protected speech and there was no intent to damage property.

  • The protests occurred in 2024.
  • The trial took place in early 2026, with the jury deliberating for five days before becoming deadlocked.

The players

Stanford University

A private research university located in Stanford, California.

Judge Hanley Chew

The judge who declared a mistrial in the case.

Santa Clara County prosecutors

The prosecutors who brought the felony charges against the Stanford students.

Defense lawyers

The lawyers who argued the protest was protected speech and there was no intent to damage property.

Five current and former Stanford University students

The defendants charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass after the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests.

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What they’re saying

“It appears that this jury is hopelessly deadlocked and I'm now declaring a mistrial in counts one and two.”

— Judge Hanley Chew

What’s next

The case may be retried by prosecutors, or the charges could be dropped if they decide not to pursue the case further.

The takeaway

This mistrial highlights the complex and contentious nature of campus protests, where demonstrators' free speech rights must be balanced against concerns about property damage and disruption. The outcome raises questions about how authorities should respond to such protests in the future.