By Anna Mann
Editor-in-Chief
According to an email from Vice-Chancellor John McCardell on May 10, two students were arrested in the Guerry vandalism case the day prior. Both were Sewanee students in the college, one junior and one senior, who have confessed and subsequently been charged with felony vandalism and burglary.
As previously covered by The Purple, the damages to Guerry’s auditorium were extensive and were expected to interfere with graduation activities. Fortunately, according to Chief of Police Marie Ferguson, Sewanee’s Facilities Management was able to restore the auditorium to working order before the ceremonies.
Though Ferguson was unable to release names, she stated that the next steps in the process including consequences for the students would be up to the courts.
Chair of the music department Stephen Miller expressed his unease about being unable to learn the names of the culprits, saying, “In terms of my personal reaction, I am of course relieved that the culprits have been apprehended. I felt very uneasy not knowing who might have been responsible. But what a shame that Sewanee students were apparently responsible! Unfathomable, really.”
As students and faculty continue to process the news, McCardell expressed his gratitude in his email to those who helped solve the case, stating: “The SPD appreciates the community’s interest in the case. All leads were pursued; the outcome was the result of a thorough exploration of the evidence. I know you will join me in thanking the SPD for their excellent work in bringing the investigation to a swift conclusion. Thank you also to Facilities Management for their efforts to restore Guerry Auditorium to usable space in time for this weekend’s ceremonies.”
When the Winchester Herald Chronicle has no problem posting names and charges of those arrested in the rest of Franklin County, why is Sewanee omitted? And why is the Purple not privy to what should be public arrest records?