Cornell student who admitted to making anti-Semitic threats seeks court review for release

The Cornell University student detained for making anti-Semitic threats is slated for a court appearance this Thursday.

Patrick Dai is due for a detention hearing at 1:30 p.m. in Federal Court in Syracuse to reassess his custody status.

After initially waiving the right to such a hearing, Dai’s new counsel, Lisa Peebles, the Federal Public Defender, requested the court to consider his release under specific conditions.

The prosecution previously argued that Dai posed a flight risk which contributed to the decision to hold him without bail.

Since his arrest on October 31, Dai has been incarcerated at the Broome County jail. Court records indicate that federal agents have both audio and video recordings of Dai confessing to making the threats.

Dai, whose family resides in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford, conducted himself politely in court last week, yet did not enter a plea.

The threats that prompted Dai’s arrest appeared online on October 28 and 29, traced back to an IP address linked to an account in Pittsford.

Notably, one post threatening violence against a Cornell University dining hall, known for serving kosher meals, included language endorsing Hamas. The charged atmosphere led to heightened fear among Jewish students on campus, with some reportedly leaving the university. Dai has also waived his right to a preliminary hearing initially set for November 15.