A former student of Cornell University, Patrick Dai, hailing from Pittsford, a suburb of Rochester, New York, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday. Dai faced accusations from federal investigators for posting anonymously on a Greek life forum in late October, threatening violence against Jewish individuals by mentioning shooting and stabbing. These threats emerged during a time of heightened tensions related to the conflict in Gaza, causing distress among Jewish students at the Ithaca campus. In response, Governor Kathy Hochul and Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, visited the campus separately to show support. Cornell University even canceled classes for a day in response to the threats.
Cornell University
Dai admitted guilt to charges of making threats to harm others using interstate communication. He could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, with the sentencing scheduled for August 12, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for northern New York.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division condemned Dai’s actions, describing them as “vile, abhorrent, antisemitic threats of violence” directed at the Jewish community at Cornell University.
The threats, which included references to stabbing, throat-slitting, and bringing a rifle to campus, were traced back to Dai’s IP address. In a statement made outside of court, Dai’s attorney explained that his client never intended to carry out the threats but posed online as Hamas during a period of depression to challenge sympathizers of the organization.
“He’s very remorseful. He accepts responsibility,” said federal public defender Lisa Peebles in an interview with WHEC-TV.
Dai’s mother, Bing Liu, suggested that her son’s actions might have been influenced by medication he was taking for depression and anxiety. She mentioned that Dai had previously apologized for the threats and described them as “shameful.” Liu also disclosed that she had been taking Dai home on weekends due to his depression and anxiety and that he was at home during the weekend when the threats were made online. Dai had also taken three semesters off previously, according to his mother.
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