A Minneapolis man charged in connection with the 2004 Spence Lab break-in at the UI will remain in jail today while a federal judge decides whether to release him until his trial.

Prosecutors allege Scott DeMuth, 22, conspired with others to commit animal-enterprise terrorism and cause economic damages to the animal enterprise. On Nov. 14, 2004, four masked individuals broke into Spence Labs, in Seashore Hall, causing around $450,000 in damages. The Animal Liberation Front claimed credit for the break-in.

DeMuth was to be released pending trial, but the judge granted an emergency stay until a hearing today. Prosecutors claimed in their motion that DeMuth is a domestic terrorist who poses a threat to the public. They also alleged he could hide from prosecution with the help of other Animal Liberation Front members and supporters.

— by Regina Zilbermints