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Friday, August 03, 2007

Yikes.


'Five people were indicted on charges of aggravated hazing in connection to the death of a Rider University freshman last March, and additional details were released about the fraternity’s "Family Drink" tradition, in which the freshman consumed a lethal amount of alcohol, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Ada Badgley, 31, of Lawrenceville, N.J., and director of Greek life; Dr. Anthony Campbell, 51, of Lawrenceville, N.J., and dean of students; Adriano DiDonato, 22, of Princeton, N.J., and director-house master of Phi Kappa Tau; Dominic Olsen, 21, of Kenilworth, N.J., and a fraternity pledge master; and Michael Tourney, 21, of Randolph, N.J., president of Phi Kappa Tau, were indicted Friday for their connection to the alcohol-poisoning death of a Long Beach, Calif., freshman.

The indictment alleges that on or about March 28 to 29, the defendants knowingly or recklessly organized, promoted, facilitated or engaged in conduct that resulted in serious bodily injury to Gary DeVercelly and William Williams.

DeVercelly, 18, died on March 30.

Through an investigation, police and prosecutors learned that in addition to other events for theme weeks, 28 students – 27 of whom were underage – participated in the "Family Drink" tradition on the night of March 28, when the pledges drank several shots, or in some cases full bottles, of hard alcohol in less than an hour.

Prosecutors said "Family Drink" was one of the events completed by the Spring 2007 Phi Kapp Tai pledge class as part of a process to become full-fledged members of the fraternity.

Pledges DeVercelly and William Williams were taken to a local hospital after taking part in "Family Drink." DeVercelly did not survive.

Fifteen people were charged with providing alcoholic beverages to an underage person, a disorderly persons offense, and 23 others were issued Lawrence Township ordinance violations for underage drinking. Three students were charged with drug-related offenses in relation to the search of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house.

Aggravated hazing, a fourth-degree charge, carries a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.'