Cornell student who posted violent messages has appeal of detention order filed

A Cornell University junior, 21-year-old Patrick Dai, currently faces serious federal charges for allegedly posting online threats targeting the Jewish community.

Dai, who was detained in Broome County Jail, appeared in a federal courtroom in Downtown Syracuse, where he was formally presented with the charges. The content of his posts, which included threats of shooting, stabbing, and other forms of violence against Jewish individuals, has caused significant concern on campus and beyond.

The allegations against Dai are particularly alarming due to their specificity and severity, with threats to attack locations such as 104 West, a Cornell dining hall known for serving Kosher meals and its proximity to the Cornell Jewish Center.

Dai’s public defender has filed an appeal challenging a previous decision to keep him in detention, arguing that his mental health should be a factor for release rather than continued detention. She insists that Dai is neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk.

This case has drawn attention to issues of hate speech and safety in academic environments. As the legal proceedings continue, the Cornell community and observers nationwide are awaiting further developments, while grappling with the implications of such threatening behavior in a university setting.