Maharishi Student Accused Of 2 Stabbings In 1 Day

Shuvender Sem Charged With First-Degree Murder In Stabbing Death

TheIowaChannel.com/March 4, 2004

Farifield, Iowa -- The investigation into the stabbing death of a student at Maharishi University in Fairfield continues, even as school officials defended their handling of an earlier stabbing involving the same student charged in the deadly attack.

Shuvender Sem, 24, of Lancaster, Penn., is charged with first-degree murder in the attack Monday night that killed Levi Butler, 19, of LaQuinta, Calif.

Authorities say Butler was sitting in the dining hall when Sem stabbed him with a small paring knife.

Sem is being held on $1 million bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

Jefferson County attorney Tim Dille said it's not clear what led to the assault, but there didn't appear to be a confrontation.

Earlier in the day, authorities say Sem used a ball point pen to stab another student in the face during a class called Teaching for Enlightenment.

The university is known for its teachings about peace and meditation.