Student Accused Of Fatal Stabbing Stays Put

Judge Rules Maharishi Student To Stay In County Jail

TheIowaChannel.com/May 25, 2004

Fairfield, Iowa -- A judge ruled that a Maharishi University of Management student charged with stabbing a fellow student to death must stay in a county jail instead of being transferred to the Oakdale prison, where his mental health could be more closely monitored.

District Judge Richard Meadows ruled Monday that the defendant was being adquately treated in county jail and there was no need to move him.

Prosecutors have charged Sem with first-degree murder in the death of Levi Butler, 19, of La Quinta, Calif. Butler was stabbed in the chest in front of dozens of other students in the dining hall at the school, where both were students.

Authorities have also charged Sem with stabbing another student in the cheek with a ballpoint pen during a class earlier in the day.

Sem is scheduled to go to trial June 22.