Pit Attacker Ignores and Mocks Testimony
By Caitlin Clinard

Mohammed Taheri-azar faces nine counts of attempted murder. At a hearing Friday, students and campus police testified about the events that unfolded on March 3.

During the hearing, Taheri-azar’s attention wandered. For most of it, he read the Quran. But when a campus police officer described injuries caused by the incident, Taheri-azar laughed. Reading a prepared statement, his sister, Laila Taheri-azar, expressed concern for her brother’s mental health.

“His current actions in words are as much a source of shock and distress to us as they are to you,” she said. “Combined with his recent associations, from family and friends, there are many areas of concern and frustration as to my brother’s state-of-mind.”

Taheri-azar’s sister says her family does not condone her brother’s actions. She described him as a kind, gentle, pure soul and said his fate now rests with the justice system.