Lawyer: Former Connecticut college student charged in body fluids case isn't racist

November 20, 2017 11:00 pm • Last Updated: November 21, 2017 11:11 pm

Brianna Brochu, accused of contaminating her black roommate's belongings at the University of Hartford, addresses the court during a hearing, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, in Hartford. She's charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief and breach of peace. Prosecutors say they're determining whether to add a hate crime charge. (Mark Mirko/The Courant via AP, Pool)

HARTFORD — The lawyer for a former Connecticut college student accused of smearing body fluids on her roommate's belongings says he doesn't expect authorities to file hate crime charges.

Attorney Tom Stevens' comments came Tuesday after former University of Hartford student Brianna Brochu appeared in court.

Police say Brochu, who is white, wrote on Instagram about rubbing used tampons on her black roommate's backpack and putting her roommate's toothbrush "where the sun doesn't shine." Her roommate said she developed throat pain.

The 18-year-old Harwinton resident is charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief and breach of peace. The state NAACP and other groups are demanding felony hate crime charges. Prosecutors did not immediately return a call for comment.

Brochu told the Republican-American newspaper she acted foolishly but isn't racist.

Her case was continued to Dec. 18.

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