The nearly blind and partially deaf Fairfield University graduate accused of holding Professor Dreyer’s class of 26 students hostage in Canisus Hall pleaded not guilty to kidnapping charges on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Patrick Arbelo, 24, appeared in Bridgeport Superior Court before Judge Eddie Rodriguez Jr. and elected to a trial by jury. He spoke very little, only answering “yes” or “no” to the judge’s questions.
His attorney, Vincent Noce Jr, entered the formal plea during a brief hearing as 14 family members and friends watched. The judge asked Arbelo if he had been advised of his constitutional rights and if he understood them. He responded, “Yes, sir.”
“I was pretty shocked at first when I found out that he pleaded innocent. He was under oath to tell the truth and he was undoubtedly in the room. I wonder what goes on in his mind,” said Jessica Mauro ’04.
Noce also indicated he needed time for an evaluation of his client, but refused to say whether the evaluation would be to establish Arbelo’s competency or to determine if he has a mental deficiency that could have barred him from comprehending the wrongfulness of his conduct.
Arbelo is being held in a segregated cell at the Bridgeport Correctional Center in lieu of $1 million bond. He is scheduled to be back in court on April 9.
“This is not a case that is going to be resolved quickly,” predicted Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein, who is prosecuting Arbelo. “There is a lot of information that has to be processed on both sides.”
Stein said if the defense presses the issue of competency, the prosecution will need time to have its own experts evaluate Arbelo.
On Feb. 12, Arbelo, carrying a cardboard box containing exposed wires and wrapped with duct tape, entered the classroom of professor Elizabeth Dreyer, claiming he had a bomb. Over the next seven hours, Arbelo released all of the hostages unharmed. At 11:10 p.m., he surrendered. It was then that members of the state police bomb squad determined there was no explosive in the box.
According to The Connecticut Post family members said Arbelo had become very depressed in recent months because no one would hire him. The political science major hoped to become a teacher.
A letter sent to Fairfield University alumni from Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., the university president, said “To our brave students and Dr. Elizabeth Dreyer, who courageously endured this unimaginable nightmare, I offer my prayers and those of the entire university community… Nor should we forget to pray for Patrick Arbelo, whose troubled actions reveal a need for prayer.”
“I can’t believe he pleaded innocent since everyone saw him in the building and knew his actions were evil,” said Jeanine LaRocca ’04.
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