A state judge has dropped the charges against former Loyola students John White, Mohamed Diakite and Chukweumeka Anigbo. The three students were arrested and charged for attempted armed robbery last October after threatening Uptown students with a fake gun as a prank.

The charges were dismissed on the condition that the students would be placed on the Diversion program. Diversion dismisses the charges for first-time offenders only if the defendant agrees to participate in an education program. It’s an option if the defendant qualifies and the judge decides to offer it.

“It’s an excellent outcome,” Diakite’s attorney, Raleigh Ohlmeyer, said.

The students appeared before the Board of Review, a collection of staff, faculty members and students, after the state proceedings. For privacy reasons, the board does not disclose the events of the hearing.

However, the Student Handbook states that during a hearing, the person who filed the police report reads it aloud to the board, and the student offers a plea. Students are not allowed to have an attorney present, but can have an adviser, staff member or parent. The student is allowed to make a statement.

The board talks with the student, deliberates and votes. Each vote – whether from student, faculty or staff – is worth the same. Students may appeal cases if there appears to be a bias, new evidence towards the case, disregard for rights or an inappropriate sanction.

The Board of Appeals is separate from the Board of Review, but the structure is the same. The Appeals Board is comprised of different students, faculty and staff than the Board of Review. Instead of a hearing, students submit a written appeal. An attorney is still not allowed.

Chris Cameron, director of Co-curricular Activities, said the main purpose of student hearings is to talk with the student and see what he or she learned.

Still, sanctions can range from a “slap on the wrist” to a recommendation for expulsion, Cameron said.

“The Board of Review hears cases that affect the entire university community,” he said.

“The nature of this case involved not just Loyola students but also our faculty, staff, neighbors in the surrounding area and concerned parents.

Assuring a safe and open environment to pursue our academic interests, both on and off campus, is a responsibility of the entire community.”

Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at [email protected].