BOULDER, Colo.—A University of Colorado student who was arrested and suspended after allegedly making threatening comments in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre has been allowed to return to school but still faces a criminal charge.
Max Karson, 22, was arrested April 17, one day after the Virginia Tech gunman killed 32 people and himself. Campus police said Karson had talked in class about “how someone could be driven to kill 32 people because of the injustices of universities.”
Students told police they felt threatened by Karson’s remarks.
The university Office of Judicial Affairs ruled Karson violated the student conduct code and suspended him until May 2008, but the office lifted the suspension because Karson tried to “diffuse the situation” after realizing he had frightened others.
The decision, reported Tuesday in the Camera newspaper, was dated June 15.
The suspension could be re-imposed and Karson could face other punishments if he violates the conduct code before May, the Office of Judicial Affairs said.
Karson declined comment. Alex Garlin, one of his attorneys, said “we’re extremely pleased” by the decision.
Karson has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with staff, faculty and students of an educational institution. The next court session in the case is July 20.
