Category: Hazing News

One juror hung the jury: This story tells it all.

Our opinion: Greeks must think long and hard about how the public at large views their memberships since pledgeship (even where banned) still equates with violent hazing.
The jury ruled that the former pledge Marcus Jones *had* been beaten with canes.
The defendants were not declared innocent. The jury did not find them “not guilty.” One juror thought the participation of the three in the beating was not clearly demonstrated by the prosecution.
The state of Florida may decide to try the FAMU Trio a third time. Stay tuned here for developments.

What is clear now is that “Old School” hazers have gotten a clear-eyed view of what can happen when you use your hands on a pledge.

The lesson is hardly for the Kappas alone. It is NOT a lesson for historically African American Greek groups alone. It applies, at least in Florida, to all fraternal organizations.

The lesson: If you can’t do the time, don’t haze…it’s a crime.

Thank you to the fraternity member at an historically African American international who wrote this (name deleted because he did not grant permission to use it) to the Blog. The rest is unedited by me):

“I received over 500 paddle hits on the buttocks during a six week pledge period of (name withheld) __ ___ ____ at (name withheld) University in 1977. I made it , but I still thought that was a bit excessive. Some of those licks were quite jarring. I admire you for what you are doing.”

And you, sir, are the kind of alum today’s pledges can look up to.

The bell has rung. Old School Is Out!

The father of Marcus Jones was right to pursue justice. This trial vindicated him as well as his son. And let’s not forget what happened in Texas.
Finally, this is the official Kappa Alpha Psi policy on hazing: Link

Interesting story here that looks at comments from both the defense and prosecution attorneys in a thoughtful way.

Link to ncaahazing.com

Jason Harris and Michael Morton (scroll down for pix) had the world going for them.

Proud members of Kappa Alpha Psi, they defied their national organization’s order not to haze.

Harris took a less active part, but nonetheless a Florida jury’s message rang loud and clear: “Sell Out” and it’s “Cell In” for you.

The lawyers of both plan to appeal, arguing that Florida’s law on “serious bodily harm” was vague and that Judge Kathleen Dekker shouldn’t have offered a definition. We’ll see where that goes.

Three other defendants remain in limbo. While the jury could not convict, neither could it find the other members innocent. Still ahead is a decision to retry the Kappas or let them go.

Now there is just one more verdict to render. Kappa Alpha Psi’s Polemarch (national president) Samuel Hamilton has justly and strongly urged an end to hazing.

Polemarch Hamilton, in my view, now must send an equally strong, albeit, unpopular decision.

A Florida jury has said Mr. Harris and Mr. Morton are guilty of felony hazing.

Right now, Jason Harris and Michael Morton, although convicted of felony hazing in the beating of a pledge, still remain in the company of Watson Diggs (a KAP founder), tennis legend Arthur Ashe, columnist William Raspberry, and civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy.

Sadly, Mr. Harris and Mr. Morton have chosen by their hazing behavior to prevent a potential member from enjoying membership in one of America’s most prestigious organizations.

They must be expelled by following whatever bylaws are appropriate.

You paddle a butt and you get yours kicked in court.

That’s a hard lesson for all fraternity and sorority members–and not just the Kappas–to learn.

Now there’s one more hard lesson to learn.

The public needs to hear that Kappa Alpha Psi regrets it must end the membership of Mr. Harris and Mr. Morton for hazing.

It’s a tough call.

It must be made.