What started as an early morning venture to buy a Slurpee from a local 7-Eleven turned into what Cortney Woycik said was one of the worst events of her life.

After being arrested for obstructing an officer, hindering and acting with disorderly conduct during the April 2-3 disturbances, the psychology junior said she will never be the same.

And although Woycik said her arrest was unprovoked - her Breathalyzer test recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.0 - East Lansing police say it was most likely justified.

Woycik said she and her boyfriend, Drew Hunter, were walking into East Lansing's downtown during the early hours of April 3. Clouds of tear gas loomed in the air, causing crowds and bystanders to scatter.

Although a police line was formed nearby, she said she and her boyfriend continued on their quest for a Slurpee. After looking in the direction of the last officer in the line, who was stationed about 7 feet away, both were pepper sprayed, Woycik said.

"It got Drew more than me," she said. "We stepped back in shock - we had been holding hands while we were walking. Then they walked toward us and sprayed the pepper spray again."

Hunter, who threw his hands up in protest, was tackled to the ground and arrested by four police officers, Woycik said, adding that she was arrested after taking a step forward.

"This has put me through a lot," Woycik said. "I will be sitting in class and start to tear up about it. I feel so powerless - you can't stand up for yourself because the risks are unbearable for college students."

According to Woycik's arrest report, she tried to pull an officer away from her boyfriend while he was being restrained by police. Moments later, Woycik was arrested by an onlooking officer.

"I would never grab an officer's arm," she said. "I am sure everyone says that, but it's just not true. They did exaggerate (in the report).

"There is no doubt about it."

East Lansing police Lt. Kevin Daley said it is highly unlikely Woycik didn't grab an officer's arm because police reports are official documents.

"I don't think anybody would have made anything up," he said. "What does anybody have to gain from it? I am going to say she is probably guilty. There are many repercussions for a false arrest. I would stand by what the officers said."

NaQuita Niles, the officer who arrested Woycik, would not comment about the incident.

The East Lansing Police Department allows its employees to discuss situations they take part in, such as arrests, Daley said.

Woycik, who pleaded no contest to the charges against her, said if she stays out of legal trouble for at least six months and pays a fine, she will avoid sentencing and the incident will be cleared from her record.

Following the men's basketball team's loss to the University of North Carolina in the Final Four, a police-estimated crowd of about 3,000 people poured out into East Lansing streets. Now, a commission is working to investigate the events of that night and the use of force by police.

Although Woycik did not go to trial, she said she wishes she would have fought harder to protect her innocence.

"When I went in to take the plea bargain, I couldn't do it," she said. "I was bawling my eyes out. The risk of going to trial was so great; that has a complete effect on your future.

"If I had to go to jail for even three nights, that would be total hell for me."

Scott Mertens, who defended Woycik in court, said accepting the bargain was the right thing to do.

"Oftentimes in the legal profession, a burdened hand is better than going to trial," he said. "I thought we had a very triable case. But what you are dealing with is the testimony of a police officer against the testimony of an individual. That is a risk when you go to trial."

Woycik could have been banned from a public university in Michigan for up to one year if she were convicted, Mertens said, adding that she is on track to graduate early.

"I wasn't even doing anything," she said. "I never even got to see a crowd. I should be able to walk down the street - I pay $15,000 a year to live and go to school here.

"I have never even had a detention before."

Kris Turner can be reached at turne112@msu.edu.