Student arrested for threats made on Internet sites

STORRS — University of Con-necticut police made a fourth arrest in their continuing investigation of the stabbing death of football star Jasper Howard.

UConn student Christopher J. Mutchler, 18, of 392 Highland St., Wethersfield, was arrested Thursday for “empty threats” he wrote on various web sites.

According to police, Mutchler made several “posts” to a Face-book group “wall” and to an ESPN U Sports Network blog that were “threatening in nature” and appeared to be directed at witnesses who either had or would provide information to po-lice about the incident.

Mutchler has been charged with first-de-gree hindering prosecution, interfering with an officer, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree threatening and one count of an act of terrorism.

He was released on $15,000 bond and will appear in Rockville Superior Court Nov. 10.

The “wall” on social networking site Facebook was enabled to allow individuals to leave their condolences for the death of Howard.

More than 8,000 people viewed and were part of the “RIP Jasper Howard” Facebook group where some of the threatening messages appeared.

Police said they believe the postings were “instilling fear and preventing” witnesses from coming forward with information.

According to police, Mutchler is not specifically connected to the death of Howard.

“Although his motive for the postings was unclear, it has been determined that Mutchler had no link or relation to others arrested in this case and his threats were termed empty threats,” said UConn police in a statement.

Howard, 20, of Miami, died Oct. 18 from a single stab wound to the abdomen. The office of the State’s Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide.

He was attending a West Indian Student Organization party in the Student Union when a fire alarm was activated.

After more than 300 students and non-students evacuated the building an altercation between a group of students and non-students occurred. It was during that altercation that Howard was stabbed.

Earlier this week, police arrested Bloomfield resident Hakim Muhammad, 20, and John W. Lo-max III, 21, Tuesday for their role in Howard’s death.

Lomax has been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree and Muhammad was charged with conspiracy to commit assault in the first degree.

Both were arraigned in Rock-ville Superior Court Wednesday.

Lomax will next appear in Rockville Superior Court Nov. 13. Muhammad will return to court Nov. 20.

In addition to Lomax and Mu-hammad, Jamal Todd, 21, of Hartford, was arrested by university police for activating the fire alarm during the university-sponsored dance.

He was charged with falsely re-porting an incident and reckless endangerment. He posted $5,000 bond and will appear in court Nov. 10.

Police said he is also not specifically connected to the stabbing.