Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Five students arrested during Red Sox riots appear in court

Five of the 11 students arrested during disturbances following the Boston Red Sox’ American League Championship Series loss in October responded to charges Thursday in Eastern Hampshire District Court.

The disturbance began shortly after midnight on Oct. 17 with a gathering of about 150 to 200 students in the Southwest Residential Area. At least 100 people led University of Massachusetts police on a cross-campus chase, vandalizing windows, damaging fences and attempting to set small fires. 15 people were arrested on various charges.

According to The Republican, Jonathan E. Cohen, 19, 37 Highland St., Sharon, pled guilty to a charge of failure to disperse. Cohen was ordered to obey laws and to notify the court of any change of address.

John T. Beggan, 21, of 187 Plain St., Pembroke, pled guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 50 hours of community service.

Timothy J. O’Neill, 18, 125 Summer Ave., Reading, pled guilty to disorderly conduct and was ordered to obey the law and notify the court of a change of address.

Peter W. Hutchings, 18, 95 Mattapoisett Neck, Mattapoisett, pled guilty to disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, and inciting a riot and was ordered to remain drug- and alcohol-free, remain subject to drug testing and perform 100 hours of community service.

Patrick McGillicuddy, 19, 30 Bay St., Quincy, pled guilty to disorderly conduct, according to The Republican, and was ordered to refrain from alcohol and be subject to random screenings.

McGillicuddy said he accepted a continuance without finding.

“I was told it was the easiest way to go about it, otherwise I would have had to go to trial and that would of cost a lot of money,” he said.

McGillicuddy said at the time of his arrest he was attempting to get inside McKimmie Hall and security was holding up those trying to enter. He said he assumed police officers saw the group outside of the dorm as a gathering, and therefore shot at the crowd with pepperballs.

McGillicuddy said he was arrested when he began to take photos of the police officers.

“I was accused of blinding the officers with my camera,” he said. “They grabbed the camera and tossed me in the back of the van. In the police report they said I was doing other stuff, but I definitely wasn’t.”

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Massachusetts Daily Collegian Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *