Student Charged in Alleged Assault

A Harvard undergraduate has been charged with indecent assault and battery against his former girlfriend.

Brady D. Gunderson `00-`01, a former Lowell House resident who is expected to graduate this spring, entered a plea of not guilty at an arraignment in Middlesex District Court on Feb. 28. The trial is scheduled to begin on May 8, and if he is found guilty, Gunderson could face up to five years in prison.

Gunderson currently lives off-campus, but he is enrolled as a full-time student at the College.

The alleged victim, Maureen K. Schad `00-`02, who is also a Lowell House affiliate, is not enrolled this semester. Schad approached The Crimson in March to speak about the charges.

The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred on Feb. 27, 1999. The students argued in Gunderson's room, and Schad claims Gunderson hit her, bruising her breast and neck.

After the incident, the two dated sporadically for over a year. In the fall of 2000 Schad launched a complaint against Gunderson with the College's Administrative Board.

Gunderson responded by filing his own Ad Board complaint against her.

Then, on Feb. 14 Harvard University Police Department detective Sergeant Richard Mederos filed a criminal complaint in Middlesex District Court on Schad's behalf.

At that point, the College suspended the Ad Board proceedings, as is policy when a case is taken up in the public court system.

Both Lowell House Senior Tutor Eugene C. McAfee and Assistant Dean of the College Karen E. Avery were present at a hearing for the case. Schad said McAfee, who is senior tutor for both students, sat with Gunderson. McAfee said he would not confirm that he sat with Gunderson.

"I was not there for Brady and Karen was not there for Maureen," he said. "How are students doing is our overall concern. It's why we go to hearings, it's why we go to hospitals, it's why we go to jails. And that's why this attempt to paint me-that the College is choosing sides-is erroneous and misrepresents reality. And that's why I will not confirm that."

Gunderson said he could not comment on the charges because of the pending cases.

The Crimson does not have access to many relevant details because, as a result of the case's sensitive nature, the court has impounded all court records.

However, in March, Schad repeatedly said she wanted The Crimson to publish the details of the case, and on March 16 signed an affidavit supporting The Crimson's request for a release of the court documents.

However, after The Crimson filed the affidavit in court, she recanted and said she no longer wanted the records released.

--Staff Writer Joseph P. Flood can be reached at flood@fas.harvard.edu