Brianna Brochu Now Faces Hate Crime Charge, Is No Longer University of Hartford Student

brianna brochu, brianna brochu mugshot

West Hartford Police Department Brianna Brochu in her mugshot.

Brianna Brochu is now a former University of Hartford student and is facing a hate crime charge for harassing and intimidating her ex-roommate, Chennel “Jazzy” Rowe.

Brochu, 18, of Harwinton, Connecticut, admitted that she licked her roommate’s “plate, fork and spoon, put tampon blood on (her) backpack, and mixed Rowe’s lotions with other lotions also on Rowe’s desk” out of “spite,” according to court documents obtained by Heavy. Brochu is white and Rowe is black. The case gained national attention Tuesday after Rowe posted a Facebook Live video documenting the treatment she received during her first weeks of college. Brochu’s name was trending worldwide on Twitter Wednesday morning as she made her first appearance at Hartford Community Court and learned the case would not be taken as lightly as it originally appeared.

In an Instagram post, Brochu wrote, “Finally did it yo girl got rid of her roommate!! After 1 1/2 month of spitting in her coconut oil, putting moldy clam dip in her lotions, rubbing used tampons (on) her backpack, putting her toothbrush places where the sun doesn’t shine and so much more I can finally say goodbye Jamaican Barbie.”

jazzy rowe

Jazzy Rowe.

Brochu, who was charged with second-degree breach of peace and third-degree criminal mischief, both misdemeanors, faced Judge Tammy Geathers Wednesday morning at the community court, which is typically where minor cases are heard. Cases there end with community service and eventually lead to the charges being dropped and expunged. But the state prosecutor said her office has decided to move the case to Hartford Superior Court, the criminal court where more serious charges are heard, because of the “severity” of the allegations.

She is currently free on $1,000 bail. The judge barred Brochu from the University of Hartford campus and issued a no-contact order with the victim. She told Brochu that if she contacts or tries to contact Rowe in person, by phone, on Facebook, on Instagram or elsewhere, she will be found in violation of the conditions of her release. Brochu, who was flanked by her parents in front of the judge, responded, “Yes your honor.” She did not say anything else during her brief hearing. Brochu and her parents did not comment at the courthouse and she is not yet represented by an attorney.

Shortly after the hearing, West Hartford Police sent out a press release saying they are seeking to add an additional charge, second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, a class D felony that carries a potential sentence of 1 to 5 years in prison. The intimidation law states:

A person is guilty of intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the second degree when such person maliciously, and with specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of the actual or perceived race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of such other person, does any of the following: (1) Causes physical contact with such other person, (2) damages, destroys or defaces any real or personal property of such other person, or (3) threatens, by word or act, to do an act described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection, if there is reasonable cause to believe that an act described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection will occur.

It was also announced Wednesday morning that Brochu is no longer a student at the University of Hartford. It is not clear if she was expelled or withdrew from the university.

“I am writing to provide further updates on the deeply disturbing situation involving our students. As of this morning, Brianna Brochu is no longer a student at the University of Hartford. She will not be returning to the institution,” University of Hartford President Greg Woodward said in a statement.

Woodward added, “There has been an outpouring of concern for the victim of these acts from across the University and the country. In my meeting with her yesterday, I reiterated my personal commitment to ensuring she has all available personal and academic resources the University can provide. It is clear there is work to be done at our University to ensure that all students feel safe, respected, and valued. The conversations that began with student groups, faculty, and staff yesterday are going to continue and involve our full community. I am dedicated to that mission and will continue to share additional information about opportunities for our path forward in meaningful dialogue and action.”

Also on Wednesday, court documents in the case against Brochu were released by the court. You can read the documents below or by going here:

West Hartford Police Department spokesman Lieutenant Michael Perruccio said, “The department is in the process of reviewing the entire case to ensure the proper procedures were followed.”

You can read more about Brianna Brochu by going here: