Rockefeller among US students in vandalism case

BOSTON (AP) — A relative of the late Nelson A. Rockefeller and five other Boston College seniors have denied vandalizing an apartment and causing about $25,000 in damage, including creating a natural gas leak by pulling out a clothes dryer line.

Prosecutors say the students were arraigned Wednesday on charges of breaking and entering and willful and malicious destruction of property in the March 16 incident. The students pleaded not guilty and were released on conditions including avoiding alcohol and drugs.

The students are Christian Rockefeller and Charles Howe; Timothy Orr; Arthur Pidoriano; David Rogers, and Matthew Tolkowsky.

Rockefeller is a great-grandson of Nelson A. Rockefeller, a U.S. vice president and New York governor. A Rockefeller spokesman says the family will have no comment.