Hundreds March in Protest of Vassell Prosecution

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By Matthew Campbell

Story Published: Nov 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM EST

200 marched on Main Street in Northampton to demand that the charges against 24 year old former UMass student Jason Vassell be dropped.

Hundreds of friends of the former UMass student accused of stabbing two men rallied in Northampton Wednesday afternoon.

Jason Vassell is out on bail and back home, but hundreds from the Hampshire county community marched in protest.

They're upset that Vassell is facing a maximum 30 year sentence, while his alleged instigators are only facing a combined year and a half behind bars.

One UMass professor foreshadows what could happen if the charges are not dropped.

"What you see here is nothing like what is likely to follow if the DA ignores the will of the community and the interest of the community," says professor Michael Thelwell.

Vassell is back at home, awaiting his trial which begins in January.

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