Student denied probation deal for fake threats vs. blacks

A former leader of a black student group accused of tweeting anonymous threats against fellow black college students in New Jersey cannot enter a probation program.

A judge on Thursday rejected an appeal from Kayla McKelvey to participate in pretrial intervention. The program would have allowed her to be placed on probation and have charges removed from her record if she successfully completed the terms.

McKelvey has been charged with creating a false public alarm at Kean University.

Prosecutors say the 25-year-old tweeted anonymous threats from a campus library because she wanted more people to attend a November 2015 rally on racial issues. She then allegedly returned to the rally to raise awareness about the threats.

Prosecutors say the threats spread fear and panic on campus. Police previously identified her as Kayla-Simone McKelvey.

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