Trial for student charged in social media threats case moved to May 16
Tysen Campbell's lawyer attended a status hearing on Campbell's behalf on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Whatcom superior court house. Campbell's trial was set for May 16. At status hearings, various lawyers check in with Judge Charles R. Snyder about where their clients are and when the trial dates will be. The judge and lawyers spent about a minute discussing each case. // Photo by Christina Becker
The trial date for Tysen Campbell was pushed back to May 16 at a status hearing Wednesday, Feb. 17. Campbell was charged with malicious harassment for threats directed at Associated Students President Belina Seare in November 2015. The continuance was granted by Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Charles R. Snyder. Campbell was not present. The original trial date was set for Feb. 29 at Campbell’s arraignment in December, 2015. Neither Snyder nor Campbell’s lawyer stated a reason for the continuance during the status hearing.Campbell, 19, was arrested on Nov. 30, 2015 for a post on the social media app Yik Yak that reportedly read “Let’s lynch her,” in reference to Seare. This and other threats on social media led to the cancellation of classes at Western on Nov. 24, 2015. At his arraignment, Campbell was served a no-contact order requiring him to avoid contact with Seare. Campbell is currently out on bail, awaiting trial.
