Political expression or vandalism? High-profile Stanford felony trial opens

Opening arguments in a Stanford felony vandalism case began Friday amid sharp disputes over whether political views tied to Israel’s war in Gaza should factor into the trial — an issue that has shaped the case from its earliest stages.

Almost two years after 13 people were arrested for allegedly damaging Stanford University’s executive offices during a June 2024 protest urging the school to divest from companies linked to Israel, five defendants are now on trial in Santa Clara County Superior Court.