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U.S. student accused of smearing bodily fluids on black roommate’s belongings avoids hate crime charges

Brianna Brochu, 18, was arrested Saturday and is facing charges of  criminal mischief and breach of peace, police said.
Brianna Brochu, 18, was arrested Saturday and is facing charges of criminal mischief and breach of peace, police said. West Hartford police

HARTFORD, Conn. – A white former Connecticut university student accused of smearing body fluids on her black roommate’s belongings has avoided a hate crimes charge.

Prosecutors did not file additional charges Monday against 18-year-old Brianna Brochu, of Harwinton.

READ MORE: U.S. student facing charges after allegedly smearing bodily fluids on roommate’s belongings

The state NAACP and other civil rights advocates had asked the state to add a hate crimes charge to the criminal mischief and breach of peace counts Brochu faces.

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WATCH: In an effort to force her black roommate out, a white Connecticut student allegedly rubbed used tampons on her black roommate’s belongings (Nov. 1)

Click to play video: 'White university student arrested for allegedly rubbing used tampons on black roommate’s bag'
White university student arrested for allegedly rubbing used tampons on black roommate’s bag

Police say the former University of Hartford student wrote on Instagram in October about rubbing used tampons on her roommate’s backpack and putting her roommate’s toothbrush “where the sun doesn’t shine.” Her roommate says she developed throat pain.

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Prosecutors say they’re still investigating. The case has been continued until Jan. 29.

READ MORE: Charges laid in ‘offensive’ videos showing Toronto businesses, residents harassed

Brochu left the courthouse without commenting. Her lawyer has said her actions were not racially motivated.

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