Michigan student seen attacking Jewish commentator in viral campus video faces felony charge
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN: Prosecutors in Washtenaw County, Michigan, have approved felony charges against a University of Michigan student seen on a viral video shoving a Jewish conservative commentator at a campus free speech event.
The student, Temulun Togochog, is accused of assaulting the commentator and resisting police on Sunday, October 31.
The case has drawn attention beyond Ann Arbor because of the political topics debated at the event and the charges have not been tested in court.
Three counts, pending felony warrant
The confrontation at the University of Michigan has now moved into the criminal justice system, with prosecutors authorizing three charges against Temulun Togochog.
The decision follows a review of evidence from Sunday's incident, in which Jewish commentator Liz Benichou was allegedly assaulted during a campus discussion.
The charges include a felony count of assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer, along with two counts of assault or assault and battery.
Alyssa Fountain of the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office reportedly told media outlets that the material submitted by investigators had been thoroughly examined.
A felony warrant is expected to be issued, and Togochog will receive a court date after her arraignment.
Benichou's manager, Taylor Sharp, has also indicated that the incident could lead to further legal action.
He said she injured her lower back when she struck the ground during the altercation and intended to press charges. She received medical attention before being released.
The prosecutor's decision came a day after campus police took Togochog into custody following the confrontation.
She was processed and released while the case was awaiting prosecutorial review.
Whether she has since returned to campus is not known. The university has not disclosed whether it is pursuing disciplinary action against her.
There is also a dispute over the university's response to the footage.
Cam Higby, who was present at the event, alleged that university officials approached the organizers and asked them to remove the recording from social media.
According to him, the request was made to shield Togochog from potential “negative blowback.” The university has not publicly confirmed or addressed his account.
Video captures confrontation at University of Michigan event
The confrontation unfolded at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday, November 1, on the Diag, a central gathering spot at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where student organizations regularly host discussions and public events.
Reawaken USA, a faith-based organization, had invited commentators Cam Higby, Joe Redden and Liz Benichou to engage students on Iran and Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan's Democratic Senate nominee.
Video of the encounter shows a woman identified as Togochog approaching the group's table and getting into a heated exchange with Redden over Islam.
She appears to strike him with her phone, then rejects the accusation and labels the commentators anti-Muslim.
The confrontation subsequently shifts to Benichou.
After the commentator questions what might happen to someone dressed like the woman in Iran, the woman appears to shove her to the ground and climb on top of her.
Another student steps in and pulls her away.
Campus police later handcuffed Togochog and took her away.
Footage appears to show her resisting the officers and directing a stream of profanity at people nearby.
