Mistrial Declared in Stanford Student Protest Trial

Jury deadlocked on felony charges against 5 students over 2024 pro-Palestinian demonstration

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A judge has declared a mistrial in the case of five current and former Stanford University students charged after pro-Palestinian protests in 2024, when they barricaded themselves inside the university president and provost executive offices. The jury was deadlocked on felony charges of vandalism and conspiracy to trespass.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tensions between free speech, lawful dissent, and property damage that can arise during campus protests. The outcome raises questions about how authorities should respond to disruptive demonstrations, and whether felony charges are an appropriate response for non-violent civil disobedience.

The details

Demonstrators barricaded themselves inside the offices for several hours on June 5, 2024, the last day of spring classes at the university. Prosecutors said the defendants spray-painted the building, broke windows and furniture, disabled security cameras and splattered a red liquid described as fake blood on items throughout the offices. Defense attorneys said the protest was protected speech and there was insufficient evidence of an intent to damage the property.

  • The protest occurred on June 5, 2024, the last day of spring classes at Stanford.
  • The trial took place in Santa Clara County in 2026.

The players

Judge Hanley Chew

The judge who declared a mistrial in the case.

Jeff Rosen

The Santa Clara County District Attorney who said he would pursue a new trial.

The 5 Stanford students

Current and former Stanford students charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass after the 2024 pro-Palestinian protest.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 (latimes.com)

“This case is about a group of people who destroyed someone else's property and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. That is against the law and that is why we will retry the case.”

— Jeff Rosen, Santa Clara County District Attorney (latimes.com)

What’s next

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said it will pursue a new trial against the five Stanford students.

The takeaway

This mistrial highlights the complex balance between protecting free speech, lawful dissent, and preventing property damage during campus protests. The outcome raises questions about how authorities should respond to disruptive demonstrations, and whether felony charges are an appropriate response for non-violent civil disobedience.