Harvard Law Grad Accused in 9/11 Chapel Fire Was ‘Profoundly Intoxicated,’ Lawyer Says
Corrected: A Harvard Law School graduate accused of setting fire to a Sept. 11 chapel was so drunk he barely remembers being at the site on Halloween morning, his defense lawyer told a Manhattan judge Wednesday.
Brian Schroeder was “profoundly intoxicated,” Schroeder’s lawyer, Alan Lewis, said at the court hearing. The Associated Press and the New York Daily News covered the proceeding.
Schroeder told police he thought he was dreaming as he scaled a fence and set fire to momentos and benches at Memorial Park in New York City, according to the AP story. He pleaded not guilty to charges including burglary and arson.
Schroeder, a 2009 graduate of Harvard Law School, is identified as a lawyer in the Daily News story. His job offer at Sidley Austin was rescinded because of the charges.
Corrected at 9:20 a.m. to indicate the fire occurred Halloween morning.
