Benjamin Brandenburg trial underway

SALISBURY, Md. – A former Salisbury University student implicated in an alleged hate crime was in court Tuesday.

Benjamin Brandenburg is charged with second degree assault and false imprisonment in the case.

During opening statements, the prosecution wanted to make the case that Brandenburg was an accomplice to the crime, while the defense maintained Brandenburg had no agreement to participate.

Brandenburg is one of the 15 former Salisbury University students implicated in the alleged hate crime that took place on October 15, 2024.

Prosecutors accuse Brandenburg and 14 others of luring an adult victim to an off-campus apartment using the dating app Grindr, posing as a 16-year-old male.

When the victim arrived, those students are accused of kicking, striking, and spitting on the victim, all while having the victim read a weather report.

A corporal with the Salisbury Police Department was among those who testified Tuesday and was able to identity Brandenburg in surveillance video preparing to enter the apartment where the alleged crime happened.

During cross-examination, the defense asked the corporal whether the defendant encouraged anyone to participate or assaulted anyone.

The corporal said he didn’t know if the defendant encouraged anyone or assaulted anyone to his knowledge.

The defense maintained that Brandenburg was not known by the corporal in question prior to November 12th of last year.

They made the argument that Brandenburg’s role in incident was merely standing in the kitchen area while the alleged assault took place.

The state pointed out that Benjamin Brandenburg did move from the kitchen toward the living room area where the alleged assault was taking place.

Later, the state called another witness to the stand who knew Benjamin and said they were friends.

That witness was able to identify Benjamin Brandenburg in still photos from several videos of the alleged assault shown in court.

Brandenburg’s case is expected to wrap up Wednesday.