Ex-UConn Student Gatti Applies For Accelerated Rehabilitation In Mac 'n' Cheese Case
Vernon — The former University of Connecticut student who was charged with breach of peace after an alleged tirade over bacon jalapeño macaroni and cheese at the university's student union has applied for accelerated rehabilitation.
Luke Gatti, 19, of Bayville, N.Y. was scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Rockville on Monday to face the charges that also included first-degree criminal trespass. He was arrested Oct. 4.
The incident at UConn was caught on camera and went viral on YouTube. Gatti subsequently released a video apologizing for his actions.
When a defendant applies for accelerated rehabilitation, the court file is sealed. Gatti will have certain conditions to meet if his application into the program for first-time offenders is accepted. They can include community service or getting counseling, according to state law.
Gatti must notify his alleged victims by certified mail so that they can, if they choose, comment on or oppose his application for accelerated rehabilitation. The Department of Adult Probation will also conduct a background investigation to see if Gatti qualifies for AR.
If a judge grants him AR and he successfully completes a period of probation, the charges against him would be dismissed. He is scheduled to be back in court Dec. 21 to find out whether he qualifies for accelerated rehabilitation and whether anyone opposes his admission to the program.
It is unclear how previous arrests in Massachusetts might affect his request for AR. Gatti was previously a student at the University of Massachusetts and was twice arrested last year on disorderly conduct charges, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, Mass. During one of those arrests, he was accused of using a racial slur against a police officer, court filings show.
His lawyer, David Kritzman, said Gatti would not comment.
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