Twelve Salisbury University students, originally charged with hate crimes, are now set to stand trial on misdemeanor charges in the upcoming week. The first three students—Dylan Pietuszka, 20, Logan Clark, 20, and Sean Antone, 19—are among the 15 individuals initially taken into custody in connection with an attack on a man they allegedly lured to an off-campus apartment using a dating app.
All three men facing trial this week are only being tried on two charges: second-degree assault and false imprisonment, both of which are misdemeanors. Dylan Pietuszka, 20, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Logan Clark and Sean Antone will appear for bench trials in Wicomico District Court this Thursday morning.
The attack, which occurred in early November, led to the arrests and charges. Initially, the students faced first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, false imprisonment, and hate crime charges. Now, as they go to trial, the focus remains on the misdemeanor charges, with potential outcomes that could lead to fines and jail time.
The incident has stirred significant controversy on the campus, with many calling for accountability and justice, while others argue that the charges should have been handled more severely. The trials are being closely watched by the community and legal observers alike.
