Charges against Cuny could be dropped

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Casey Cuny

Cuny and housemates John Gregory Evans, 21, Malcolm Paul Davies, 22, and Johan Emmery, 22, were each cited on a charge of disorderly conduct early Dec. 13 at their central Tucson home after a neighbor complained a loud party they were hosting continued past 1 a.m.

The four men missed their original Dec. 23 court dates and warrants were issued for their arrests the next day.

But the students eventually reset their court dates and later entered a Tucson City Court diversion program, which required them to attend five 1 1/2-hour sessions in an adult responsibility class, said City Prosecutor Pat Mehrhoff. The class cost each of the men $165.

A disorderly conduct conviction could have meant as much as six months in jail or a $2,500 fine for the four men, according to state law. A conviction for failure to appear in court can add up to four months in jail or a $750 fine.

Those charges will be dropped once Cuny and crew show the court proof that they finished the program, Mehrhoff said.

"I have to show my graduation certificate to the judge," Cuny said of his June 11 court date. The three others have court appearances scheduled for July.

Cuny said he and his friends have been unable to make amends with neighbor Ramona Cajero, 45, who called police the night of the party and refused to drop the charges.

"We tried to talk to her, but she was uncooperative," Cuny said. "She didn't want to talk to us."

Cajero said the men met her in March and asked if she would to drop the charges because the court had refused their request to enter the diversion program.

Their story conflicted with what police had told Cajero, she said.

"I think they lied to me," she said. "I said, 'OK, see you in court.'"

Cajero said she believed the men must have just completed the program because their house, in the 400 block of East Sawtelle Avenue, had been quiet until the last two Thursday nights.

"It was not as wild and crazy as the first one, but they made no bones in trying to be quiet," she said.

Another neighbor called the house to complain about the ruckus that went on until 4 a.m., she said.

Cajero, however, said she believes the diversion program was adequate punishment.

"Maybe they just needed a little bop in the head," she said.

Cuny said his last year of college, which also included a reign as UA Homecoming king and a modeling stint with Nicole Miller, was quite eventful.

"It's been a very interesting year," said Cuny, who expects to graduate with a degree in marketing and communication next week.