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Judge dismisses false terror threat charges against MSU student

August 27, 2020
<p>A person walks on campus Aug. 11, 2020.</p>

A person walks on campus Aug. 11, 2020.

All charges were dismissed against Rami Souguir, a MSU student who was charged for threatening university President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., according to court records.

In 2019, Souguir and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Spicer were investigated in regards to a Reddit post titled "Killing the University President." The post sparked an MSUPD investigation, as well as a no-contact order from Stanley and his family.

Souguir's attorney, Mike Nichols, said Souguir wrote the statement on his phone and left it. Spicer, on the other hand, made the post via Souguir's Reddit account without any communication from him.

"She's (Spicer) the one who distributed it, and there was no dispute about that at all," Nichols said. "Our position was because it's not a crime to have a thought, it's not a crime to write down a thought and he didn't commit a crime."

In November, the case was sent over to Ingham County Circuit Court. However, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina dismissed Souguir's charges Aug. 21.

Souguir's prior charges included a false report or threat of terrorism and using computers to commit a crime, according to court records.

Spicer, however, faced consequences for the same charges in January, when she was sentenced to 11 months of probation.

During her probation, Spicer is required to complete the Cognitive Behavioral Intervention program along with 60 hours of community service. She is also prohibited from having direct or indirect contact with Stanley.

"We believe justice was served with the ruling because Rami simply didn't commit a crime," Nichols said. "It's just unfortunate that it got so much wild and crazy publicity when it happened and nearly ruined his life."

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