Pubdate: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 Source: Buchtelite, The (U of Akron, OH Edu) Copyright: 2006 The Buchtelite Contact: http://www.buchtelite.com/about/letters.shtml Website: http://www.buchtelite.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4117 Author: Lisa Kopec, News Editor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) FATAL ENDING Family Blames UA for Grad Student's Death The University of Akron released a statement Monday in response to the series of articles published in the Akron Beacon Journal since Sunday about a graduate student who committed suicide in December. Charles Plinton, a 25-year-old from New Jersey, was finishing his second semester of graduate school in 2004 when he was arrested while walking to class in Polsky's. A joint effort by the university police department and the Summit County Drug Unit accused Plinton of trafficking marijuana to a confidential informant on March 3 and 11 in 2004. Plinton had an alibi for the March 3 incident. The informant said he bought marijuana from Plinton at 3:25 p.m. According to university records, he was working on the second floor of the Polsky building until 4 p.m. Plinton's case was heard in the Summit County Common Pleas Court. It began on August 5 at 9:35 a.m. and was dismissed by the jury on August 6 at 1:40 p.m. However, after the Student Judicial Affairs' university hearing board heard Plinton's case, he was found "responsible for selling drugs to a confidential informant." The UA panel is only required to find "substantial evidence" to find someone "responsible," opposed to guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Plinton's family told the Akron Beacon Journal they blamed the university and its decision to suspend Plinton for his death. He was found dead in his car on the Pennsylvania turnpike with a single gunshot to the head on Dec. 12. The statement released by the university stated: "While we cannot know exactly what factors led Mr. Plinton to decide to take his own life in December 2005, we understand that his one-semester suspension from the University of Akron in September 2004 was a significant interruption in his academic pursuits." The university was criticized for its joint effort with the Summit County Drug Unit because the confidential informant, who goes by the code name "Hulk," is a 35-year-old felon whose record includes burglary, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, DUI, domestic violence and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hulk was living next door to Plinton in Wallaby Hall on Union Street. According to the university's statement, "The well-being of our student body and our faculty and staff is a primary concern on our campus and we continually strive to enhance security through education programs, safety services and vigorous enforcement." An inspector with the Summit County Drug Unit, Keith Thornton, defended the investigation. "The people that we get to cooperate with us sometimes have criminal records," he said. "We felt he would obey the campus regulations and not be a threat to students." University spokesperson Paul Herold said it is not unusual for felons to work as confidential informants. "(They) are used routinely in drug operations and usually are those who have been in trouble with the law and are trying to obtain favorable consideration for their own cases or are trying to turn their lives around," Herold said. "Hulk" was paid $50 for every student he caught selling drugs. The university participated in the joint operation from November 2002 to August 2004. The university felt the effort was necessary to combat "allegations that illicit drugs were being sold in and around residence halls. During that time frame, at least six arrests were made with five ending in criminal convictions." The university statement said the safety of on-campus residence is always a top priority. "We are disappointed to see the facts presented in the Akron Beacon Journal in a way that seem to indicate both a lack of caring and a lack of standard disciplinary process here at the University of Akron, neither which are true."