World · North America · 7 hrs ago
Former Minnesota professor charged over urine-damaged student backpack
Former Macalester College professor Paul Fischer faces a felony charge in St Paul, Minnesota, over urine allegedly spilled on a student's backpack.
The student said she left her belongings unattended for about six minutes on 5 December and found urine on the backpack when she returned.
The damage to the bag and its contents was valued at $2,070.
College investigators found at least six urine-related incidents over about a year at the school's science center, involving trash cans, water bottles and professors' decorations.
Police say Fischer told them he had developed a habit of urinating in a cup and emptying it around campus, and that he believed urine spilled onto the student's belongings.
He resigned after working at the college for 25 years.
Prosecutors charged Fischer on 7 October; if convicted as charged, he could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and the case is ongoing.
Former Macalester College professor Paul Fischer faces a felony charge over urine that allegedly damaged a student’s backpack and belongings.
A court document says the damage was valued at $2,070.
Investigators linked Fischer to at least six urine-related incidents at the college over about a year.
Fischer resigned after working at Macalester for 25 years, according to the Guardian.
Ramsey County prosecutors filed the criminal complaint on 7 October.
- Who
- Paul Fischer, a former biology professor at Macalester College.
- What
- He faces a felony charge alleging first-degree damage to property after urine allegedly damaged a student’s backpack and belongings.
- When
- Prosecutors filed the criminal complaint on 7 October; the alleged backpack incident was on 5 December. The sources do not state the years for those dates.
- Where
- Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota.
- Why
- The charge concerns alleged damage to a student’s property after urine spilled onto her backpack.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The college investigated at least six urine-related incidents at its Olin-Rice science center.
A student left her belongings unattended near Fischer’s office and later found urine on her backpack.
The student reported the matter to St Paul police.
Ramsey County prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Fischer.
- Charge
- First-degree damage to property
- Alleged damage
- $2,070
- College
- Macalester College, St Paul, Minnesota
- Investigated incidents
- At least six urine-related episodes over about a year
- Prosecutors
- Ramsey County
- Maximum potential penalty
- Up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted as charged
2 sources
What people are saying
As this is an ongoing legal matter involving a former employee, the college has no further comment