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Criminal Charges Dismissed Against UC Regents In Death Of UCLA Student

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Criminal charges were dismissed Friday against the regents of the University of California, in connection with the fatal injuries suffered by a staff research assistant in a 2008 laboratory fire at UCLA.

The dismissal comes after the prosecutors and regents reached a prosecution enforcement agreement.

UCLA chemistry professor Patrick Harran is still scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 5 to be arraigned on criminal charges stemming from the death of 23-year-old Sheharbano "Sheri" Sangii. She was fatally burned when a chemical she was transferring burst into flames upon contact with room air.

Harran faces three counts of willfully violating occupational health and safety standards causing death. He faces up to 4 ½ years in state prison if convicted.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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