The court hearing for Benjamin Zavelsky ’16 was continued yesterday morning and will resume Friday May 3 at Williamsburg-James City County District Court. Zavelsky’s lawyer requested a continuance of the hearing following a plea bargain offered by his accusers late Monday night.
Zavelsky has not yet accepted the plea bargain, but the accusers’ lawyer said the agreement would require a no-contact clause as well as prohibit Zavelsky from publicly posting about the two female students online in any capacity. Neither the hearing nor the plea bargain would require the testimony of witnesses.
Zavelsky is charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors for the death threats he allegedly posted about two female College of William and Mary students on the CollegiateACB website before spring break.
In his hearing yesterday, Zavelsky apologized to the two students for the postings.
“I know that what I posted — there’s no excuse for it. It’s highly inappropriate,” Zavelsky said. “It’s nothing that I’ve taken seriously. I understand it’s no consolation to you. … I’m very sorry.”
Earlier this year, Zavelsky was charged with possession of marijuana, underage possession of alcohol, and public swearing and intoxication, for which the court restricted his driver’s license. CBS News reported if Zavelsky is found guilty for the double death threats, the addition of his previous legal history could result in up to 10 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
Zavelsky will remain in jail until the continuance of his hearing next Friday. He applied for bond earlier this semester after his arrest March 11 but was denied. Zavelsky remains banned from campus.
CORRECTION (11/7/22): Article was updated by the Standards and Practices Editor to remove Benjamin Zavelsky’s mugshot. The Flat Hat will refrain from publishing mugshots in the future.
