Testimony in Youngstown State Kappa Alpha Psi case

Hazing victim Breylon Stubbs: excerpt

 

Stubbs told the judge that the group hazing rituals for Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity took place off-campus in the basement of a south side home over the course of 12 days.

Stubbs, who said he went to the hospital twice himself as a result of beatings, talked about rushing his life-long friend Resean Yancey to the hospital on February 1st.

“He started convulsing, breathing heavily, foaming at the mouth. I didn’t know what else to do,” Stubbs said. “When I went in the hospital room, I saw him on a breathing machine.”

The victim says they were hit with full force punches, a wooden paddle and hangers.

“After I went to the hospital the first time I was instructed to wear a red “X” on my chest. That way I wouldn’t be able to get struck in my chest area,” Stubbs said. “They were allowed to hit me anywhere else though.”

But attorneys representing the defendants say this is not an open and shut case, arguing that the victims repeatedly returned to the Woodford Avenue home knowing the fraternity initiation could get physical again.

“That’s a big issue we talk about, the fact that you knew this was going to happen,” said Defense Attorney Dennis Dimartino.

But Stubbs says he wanted to quit several times, and only returned for the initiation ritual because he didn’t want to leave his friend Resean Yancy by himself.

The defense also argues no medical evidence was presented at Friday’s hearing to prove the beatings were responsible for sending the YSU students to the hospital. End of excerpt