Former Eastern Michigan University student, Eddie Curlin, 29, who is accused of the racial graffiti found on campus during the fall 2016 semester, waived his right to a probable cause conference at the 14a-1 District Court in Ann Arbor, Thursday.
Curlin, who is already in jail serving a one-to-five year sentence at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility for receiving stolen property, was arraigned, Oct 23., on three counts of malicious destruction of property, four counts of identity theft and one count of using computers to commit a crime stemming from vandalism incidents.
The malicious destruction of property charges stem from incidents that took place in September 2016 at King Hall, in which “KKK Leave N------“ was found spray painted on an exterior wall; an October 2016 incident in which “Leave N------“ was spray painted on an exterior wall of Ford Hall and a third incident that took place last spring in which “N-----“ was found in a men’s restroom stall in Sherzer Hall.
Even though the graffiti incidents caused turmoil on EMU’s campus, the vandalism may not be brought up during Curlin’s trial. According to Geoff Larcom, executive director of media relations, vandalism is a misdemeanor whereas the Circuit Court deals with felony cases.
The Honorable David L. Jordon, who presided over the court Thursday, told Curlin the probable cause conference he waived his rights to is a preceding where the people need to show probable cause occurred. The trial will move straight to a preliminary hearing at the Washtenaw County Trial Court.
“I ask the court for a plea of not guilty on Mr. Curlin’s behalf,” said Tim Niemann, Curlin’s attorney.
In regards to the vandalism on EMU’s campus, Curlin told the Detroit News he was used as a scapegoat.
“I am a black, African-American male. ... What goal would that be for me to actually to say that about my own race? They are accusing a black man of writing racist graffiti, something that I myself have had to deal with throughout my life.”
Curlin is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at the Washtenaw County Trial Court, Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
