UCLA organic chemistry professor Patrick Harran pleaded not guilty this morning to three felony charges against him concerning the 2008 death of a UCLA research assistant.
A judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court entered the not guilty plea on Harran’s behalf and against his attorney’s wishes, according to a university statement released today.
Harran’s attorney could not be reached for comment.
The Los Angeles District Attorney charged Harran and the UC Board of Regents in 2009 after his research assistant, Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji, suffered fatal second- and third-degree burns on Dec. 29, 2008 in a UCLA lab.
While handling a highly flammable, air-sensitive chemical, the stopper of Sangji’s syringe came undone and the liquid spilled out and ignited her sweater, which was not covered by a lab coat. She later died from injuries incurred in the fire.
The charges claim Sangji died because Harran failed to properly enforce lab safety requirements, according to the felony complaint.
In July, the Los Angeles district attorney dropped charges against the regents in the same case as part of a plea deal, though the criminal charges against Harran were still in place.
Harran is set to appear in court again on Oct. 9 to determine if his case warrants a trial, the Los Angeles Times reported today.
Compiled by Erin Donnelly, Bruin senior staff.