Student Arrested For Dressing As The Joker

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A college student was arrested and is facing charges after he dressed up like the "Joker" on campus.

"I just want to get back to class as soon as possible," says 21-year-old Christian Smith.

But for Smith, that may not be happening anytime soon. The Carlow senior was arrested late last week and is now facing multiple charges.

"Was my client disorderly that day, yes?" said defense attorney Phil Dilucente. "The main question is, what precipitated his disorderly conduct?"

Smith says he wore the makeup to class because he was taking his girlfriend to a comic book convention. A school employee saw the get-up and called police.

According to police reports, Smith was "agitated" when officers arrived, and said, "the police are picking on me because I'm black."

Reports indicate officers told him he would have to remove his make-up after class.

According to the police report, Smith "yelled profanities toward classmates and officers" and became "aggressive and un-cooperative," "spit directly in the face and eyes of the officer" and struck an officer in the "chest with his head."

"I don't think anyone has been in his shoes with what he had to deal with," said Dilucente.

Smith says he's an "A" student and a scholarship student at Carlow who was just trying to have a good time with his girlfriend and was unfairly singled out and roughed up by police.

"I just want to finish my education, just want to graduate, live my life, pretty much all I want to do," said Smith.

Smith is now facing charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 23.

Carlow University released a statement saying: "The University is confidant in the actions of the university police and protecting the rights and privileges of the student involved and insuring the safety of the students and the campus community."

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