Patrick Dai, a Cornell University engineering student, pleaded guilty in federal court to threatening to kill Jews on campus. His lawyer, Lisa Peebles, stated that Dai’s recent autism diagnosis played a role in his actions. Peebles explained that Dai’s motivation was not to scare Jewish people but to draw attention to the atrocities of Hamas and garner sympathy for the Jewish community. Dai had been struggling with depression and autism, which led to a breakdown and the decision to make threatening posts online. After realizing his mistake, Dai posted an apology and expressed remorse for his actions.
The incident occurred after Dai heard comments by a Cornell professor that he found the Hamas attack “exhilarating” and around the time of a Gaza hospital bombing that Hamas falsely blamed on Israel. Dai’s posts, including threats to kill and injure Jewish individuals and references to shooting up a school dining hall, caused alarm and concern on campus. His mother, Bing Liu, expressed worry about his mental health, particularly as he had recently taken an antidepressant that may have exacerbated the situation. Dai has been in custody since his arrest in October and is set to be sentenced in August.
Prosecutors are seeking a guideline sentence of 15 to 21 months for Dai, arguing that the acts constitute a hate crime. However, Peebles plans to argue for a lower sentence of 10 to 16 months, considering her client’s intent and the circumstances surrounding the case. She will also seek credit for time served, as Dai will have been in custody for about 10 months by the time of his sentencing. The case highlights the complexities of addressing threats of violence and hate crimes within a legal framework while also considering the mental health and intentions of the individual involved.
The incidents involving Dai’s threatening posts came in the wake of a series of antisemitic graffiti appearing on the Cornell University campus, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish students and faculty. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of institutions of higher learning being safe environments for all individuals to pursue educational opportunities. The case also sheds light on the impact of mental health issues, such as depression and autism, on individuals’ behavior and decision-making, highlighting the need for support and understanding in addressing such issues.
In light of Dai’s recent autism diagnosis and struggles with depression, Peebles underscored the importance of considering these factors in determining an appropriate sentence. She emphasized that Dai deeply regretted his actions and had learned from the experience, acknowledging the harm caused to his family and expressing remorse for putting his mother through distress. As the case moves forward towards sentencing, the court will need to weigh the factors involved, including Dai’s mental health, intentions, and the impact of his actions on the Jewish community at Cornell University. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure accountability while also addressing the underlying issues that contributed to Dai’s behavior in a fair and just manner.
