Andrew Shirtz

MARQUETTE – Andrew Shirtz, ex-Northern Michigan University adjunct computer science professor, is going to trial on a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery charge. The trial is scheduled for Nov. 18, at the Marquette County 96th District Court with Judge Karl Weber presiding. Shirtz is accused of throwing coffee at an NMU student last March.

“There wasn’t any prior discussion when it happened,” said NMU Turning Point USA leader, Evan Reister. “He came up out of nowhere, said five words, threw coffee at me and walked away … We were just tabling an event. One of our less controversial tables too. We had a big inflatable beach ball and people could write whatever they wanted on it, as the event was for freedom of speech.”

Shirtz faces up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. Shirtz has a final pre-trail conference on Nov. 10, according to a clerk from the district court, before the jury trial.

“I was supposed to testify, and a few other of the witnesses,” said Reister.

Reister said that has since changed, since he received a call from a court official saying it was no longer needed.