Cornell SAE Pledges Acquitted of Hazing Charges
From the New York Times:
The three defendants — Max Haskin, Ben Mann and Edward Williams — were accused of making George Desdunes drink excessive amounts of alcohol during an induction ritual for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, of which they were all members. They were charged with hazing in the first degree and unlawfully dealing with a child (referring to serving alcohol to a person under 21), both misdemeanors. But on Tuesday, Judge Judith A. Rossiter of Tompkins County Court acquitted them of all charges.
The verdict was reached after Judge Rossiter determined that not only were the pledges unaware of George Desdunes’ level of intoxication, but that Desdunes was participating in the event voluntarily. Several witnesses in the case testified that Desdunes had been drinking heavily for hours and that as an active he was free to stop the “kidnapping” at any time. They also claimed that Desdunes was known for being able to hold his liquor.
Although the three pledges were acquitted, Cornell’s SAE chapter did not defend itself against the hazing charges and has been kicked off campus. The fraternity will liked be forced to pay a fine.
This is a tragic story, and I wish the family of George Desdunes all the best, but I agree with the verdict. I one hundred percent believe that Desdunes was doing this voluntarily. Considering that he apparently A) was already pretty drunk and B) known for being able to hold his liquor, then it’s very likely that he stayed of his own accord, believing (mistakingly) that he was in no danger. People might not like to hear it, but George Desdunes was as responsible for his death as anyone else was. Furthermore, the kids who were “holding him captive” were just that, dumb kids. They had no idea what the hell they were doing. Granted that isn’t generally a good excuse to acquit someone, but considering how directly involved the victim was with his own fate, it makes a difference in a case like this. It’s a small bit of victory that these kids didn’t have their lives completely ruined for what was a tragic series of mistakes.
My thoughts go out to the family of George Desdunes. Hopefully this is a cautionary tale to everyone else out there.
- [via The New York Times]
First!
13 years ago at 10:28 amAs a side note, SAE has been plagued with many recent deaths and lawsuits as a result of… well, being stupid. It’s okay to have fun, rampage, haze, etc… but a certain degree of caution does need to be excercised when participating in events such as this. Protect your brothers first, have fun second, and graduate eventually.
13 years ago at 10:31 amNoted. Thanks sport.
13 years ago at 1:06 pm^Bitterness because he’s already dead haha.
13 years ago at 12:28 pm1st and 2nd… well aren’t you just something
13 years ago at 10:36 amlooks like you missed the reply button chief, lace ’em up
13 years ago at 10:46 amyeah i realized too late, i’m going
13 years ago at 10:55 amI acquit The 3rd of all charges. Sometimes the reply button is hard to find.
13 years ago at 11:04 amClearly.
13 years ago at 11:06 am^^I like what was done
13 years ago at 11:10 amPledges kidnapped an active and were charged with “hazing?”
What the fuck?
13 years ago at 3:26 pmThere’s this weird thing, when people die, charges usually happen.
13 years ago at 3:33 pm^ Apparently you missed the part that said PLEDGES hazed an active…
13 years ago at 8:48 pmI did read that. And the funny part about people dying, is charges usually happen. No matter who it is.
13 years ago at 11:29 pmHazing
Verb:
Force (a new or potential recruit to the military, a college fraternity, etc.) to perform strenuous, humiliating, or dangerous tasks.
How does someone who is not in any organization haze someone who is in? At best I could see reckless endangerment.
13 years ago at 11:06 am@Charleston I said the same thing.
12 years ago at 8:38 amFor the record, they also left him on the couch. He was set up not to vomit in his own mouth (they put him on his side), but nobody was checking on him to make sure he was ok. He stopped breathing in his sleep. Let it be a lesson to watch out for your brothers when they are going completely ape-shit (likely at least a few times per year). Check on them from time to time, or find someone who can. No matter how well they hold their liquor, BAC over .4 can very well kill you. This hit our entire campus hard.
13 years ago at 5:41 pmFuckin’ Cornell kids can’t hang haha
13 years ago at 7:08 pmYour ignorance, lack of respect, and all around retardation has personally offended me at this point. Hang? His BAC was .4 you fucking moron, in my state thats nearly 6 times the legal limit and in my book I guarantee a .08 would have your geed ass unconscious. Go back to middle school and try a little respect for the dead, especially those who are in a way of life you claim to be a part of.
13 years ago at 10:42 am^ This. I’m not a member of SAE, but my condolences go out to them. Your lack of respect is a mark of both immaturity and ignorance. I sincerely hope that you aren’t a member of any Greek organization.
13 years ago at 11:07 am^^ Exactly. When something such as this happens, it affects the school, chapter, and the entire greek organization. Poor judgement on ANY greek organizations part reflect poorly on the greek community as a whole, and let’s be honest, there’s a lot of people out there who want us gone…
13 years ago at 10:44 amSAE brothers being on trial for something. What else is new.
13 years ago at 9:23 pm^
13 years ago at 10:38 amSAE at my school was kicked off campus a year ago for… well…hazing.Thoughts go out to the victims family, but forreal, why do that to yourself or let others do that to you?
13 years ago at 3:24 pmI’m all for hazing, don’t get me wrong, but why does it have to involve alcohol? Drink to have fun, haze to create brotherhood.
13 years ago at 10:46 amSecond
13 years ago at 8:34 pm“They also claimed that Desdunes was known for being able to hold his liquor.” FaF
13 years ago at 11:49 pm