Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity pledges refused to press charges. Case dismissed.
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Fraternity charged with hazing, following death of Griffin
Published: Sunday, May 24, 2009 3:15 PM CDT
A University of Delaware fraternity is now dealing with a criminal charge in the death of a student.
The Delta Lambda chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu has been charged with midemeanor hazing by the Delaware Attorney General’s office, the Associated Press reported.
Newark Police have charged University of Delaware students, all members or pledges of Sigma Alpha Mu, had already been charged as individuals by Newark police with alcohol and drug offenses stemming from the investigation of the death of Brett Griffin. However, police emphasized the individuals have no links to the death of Griffin.
Griffin, died at a party in November. The fraternity is already being sued by Griffin’s family.
Judge’s Decision Below on Priors
05/29/09 06:50 AM
Judge in Wilson hazing case refuses to revisit ruling
WILSON—The judge presiding over the case of two Wilson High School baseball coaches charged in an alleged hazing incident refused Thursday a request to revisit his previous ruling that barred evidence of the coaches’ actions or inactions previous to the alleged crime.
In a written ruling issued Thursday, Town Justice George R. Berger denied a motion from Assistant District Attorney Robert A. Zucco asking the judge to reconsider his April 23 ruling preventing the introduction of the evidence—unless the defense raises the subject first. The judge said introducing this information would be “prejudicial.â€
Thomas J. Baia and William M. Atlas face misdemeanor child endangerment charges. They are accused of failing to act during a team bus ride April 17, 2008, when varsity players were allegedly harassing junior varsity players.
A jury trial is scheduled to begin July 6. The trial for the three former varsity players is scheduled to get under way June 20.
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Eisenbeck again
Web Posted: 05/28/2009 12:00 CDT
Camelot VFD is suspended
By Robert Crowe – Express-News
A Northeast Side volunteer fire department has been suspended while the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office investigates allegations of misconduct among its members.
County officials this week informed the Camelot Volunteer Fire Department that it would not be permitted to respond to emergencies while fire marshals investigate allegations that its members discriminated against a firefighter because of his sexual orientation, said Camelot VFD Chief Edwin Eisenbeck. The suspension was effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
“We’ll get through this,†Eisenbeck said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s just a small stumbling block.â€
The suspension could last up to six months. For now, departments in Windcrest and Converse will respond to emergencies in the 3 1/2 miles that cover Camelot’s boundaries.
“We were already on automatic response for their fires,†said Windcrest Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dan Reese. “Now we will be responding to medical emergencies.â€
A former volunteer told investigators that colleagues damaged his car because he’s gay, Eisenbeck said. That employee also told investigators that he was terminated because of his sexual orientation.
But Eisenbeck denied that allegation Wednesday.
“I fired him after I found out he stole a couple dollars from other firefighters,†he said. “He told me it was because he was gay. I told him it was because he stole.â€
The department was already in trouble with fire marshals after an alleged hazing incident in recent months.
County commissioners suspended the department’s funding after the hazing allegations. Eisenbeck said a captain and lieutenant were terminated as a result of that investigation.
“That wasn’t any hazing going on, but there was a bunch of guys making bad choices,†he said.
Staff Writer Valentino Lucio contributed to this report.
Proposed settlement reached in alleged Calhoun hazing
5/27/2009 9:00 AM
By Justin Anderson -Kanawha Bureau
CHARLESTON — A proposed settlement has been reached in a lawsuit brought against the Calhoun County Board of Education over the alleged hazing of a high school football player.
Sherry Patterson of Orma had sued the board, four football players and the parents of three on March 12 over the alleged hazing of her son, Mitchell.
The incident allegedly occurred in the locker room at Calhoun High School during summer football practice in August 2008.
School officials had investigated the incident and found no evidence of hazing.
But in a recent filing in the case, Patterson says her lawyer, Tim Carrico, and the school board have reached a proposed settlement of $15,000. The filing adds that the boy had incurred about $479 in medical bills that have been paid in full.
Patterson filed a motion for authority to compromise and settle all claims with Kanawha Circuit Court last month.
The filing says the board and the plaintiffs have agreed to settle the case, contingent upon the approval of the board’s insurer, National Union Fire Insurance Company.
The motion says that Carrico will collect $3,750 in fees from the settlement and the rest will be used to buy Mitchell a car to travel back and forth to Clay County, where he transferred after the alleged hazing.
Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker appointed lawyer Troy Giatras to serve as Mitchell’s guardian ad litem to make sure the settlement is in the boy’s best interests.
A hearing has been set for June 3.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-446