New Twist on a lawsuit: Marcus Jones Kappa Alpha Psi case may involve members and a warehouse owner

 Other pleas
Civil suit filed in hazing case
By Angeline Taylor
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Marcus Jones, once a pledge of the undergraduate chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at Florida A&M University, has filed a civil lawsuit against the five fraternity members he accused of causing him bodily harm.

Michael Morton, Jason Harris, Brian Bowman, Marcus Hughes and Cory Gray were all named in Jones’ lawsuit, along with the Alpha Xi chapter and the regional and national offices of the fraternity. The lawsuit also lists the fictitious name John Doe to represent the owner of the warehouse where Jones was severely beaten, causing hemorrhaging and requiring surgery.

“When we get specific information, we can change those John Does to names,” said attorney Roosevelt Randolph of Knowles & Randolph, P.A.

Dawn Whitehurst, lead counsel for Jones’ civil lawsuit, said individuals like the owner of the warehouse “knew or should have known this type of activity” occurred at the warehouse. An amended copy of the suit was filed Wednesday.

According to the lawsuit, “For the good and safety of individuals on the property, John Doe(s) has assumed the duty of preventing serious bodily injury from occurring on the property.”

Whitehurst said Florida A&M University will not be a defendant in the lawsuit.

“FAMU has responded appropriately and swiftly once the incident was brought to their attention,” Whitehurst said. The chapter has been suspended from the campus for an extended period.

The personal injury lawsuit cites damages in excess of $15,000, not including interest and attorney’s fees.

“From the very beginning, it was really difficult for Marcus (Jones) to come forward,” Whitehurst said. “He’s not the type that likes the spotlight.”

Instead, Whitehurst said, Jones does not want what happened to him to happen to any other young person trying to join a fraternity. Jones’ lawsuit claims that the local, regional and national branches of the fraternity failed to monitor activities of their members to ensure anti-hazing.

Morton and Harris have been found guilty in the criminal lawsuit of felony hazing and sentenced to two years in prison. They have appealed.

Bowman, Hughes and Gray pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor hazing in the criminal case. They will not have a criminal record.

See also this Update on Penn lawsuit