Police: 13 face felony charges in clashes sparked by Richard Spencer's MSU speech

EAST LANSING - An Illinois woman arrested during the violent clashes Monday at Michigan State University was armed with a knife, brass knuckles, a baton and a "plastic stabbing device," court documents say.

She was among 25 people who were arrested as protesters brawled with supporters of white nationalist Richard Spencer during his appearance at the MSU Pavilion.

Hannah Baker, 27, of Chicago was arraigned Tuesday in 54B District Court on four counts of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of resisting and obstructing police, the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. Both charges are felonies.

Thirteen of the 25 suspects were arrested on felony charges, MSU police said in a separate news release.

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In all, eight police agencies were on campus as hundreds of protesters confronted Spencer supporters outside the pavilion. Three MSU officers and one Michigan State Police trooper suffered minor injuries.

"These police officers worked to preserve the peace in the midst of chaos," Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon said in the release. "Unfortunately, much as we had expected, there were acts of violence. However, unlike in Charlottesville, there were no deaths or critical injuries, and for that we are grateful for the response of the police and the community, as well."

Baker was among three people arraigned Tuesday in connection with the clashes.

The others were Daniel Smigel, 26, of Crete, Illinois and Aaron Brown, 30, of Mason. Both are charged with resisting and obstructing police.

All three requested court-appointed attorneys, court records indicate.

Carrying a concealed weapon carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison upon conviction, while resisting and obstructing is a maximum two-year term. 

"Numerous additional suspects" were in custody on Tuesday, with more arraignments expected Wednesday, Siemon said.

Many of the 25 suspects were arrested on misdemeanor charges that included various types of disorderly conduct, failure to obey police and trespassing, court records show.

Several live in other states, including a 34-year-old man from Lutherville, Maryland who is charged with disorderly conduct, the records indicate.

Contact Ken Palmer at (517) 377-1032 or kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.