Update May 21 '09: Four Arrested in SAE Pledge's Death
Arrests have been made in the (alleged) hazing and alcohol poisoning death of Carson Starkey, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledge at Col Poly – San Luis Obispo, an Austin TX paper reports on its web site May 21 ‘09:
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...n_mans_ha.html
Excerpts from longer report:
San Luis Obispo, Calif., Police Department officials announced . . . that they have arrested and charged individuals in connection with the Dec. 2, 2008, death of 18-year-old Carson Starkey . . . of Austin.
Starkey died of alcohol poisoning during a fraternity initiation in California on Dec. 2. He had pledged to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity during his freshman year at California Polytechnic State University. According to a police report, Carson died as a result of hazing, and autopsy results showed his blood alcohol content was between .39 and .44.
. . .
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney charged four fraternity members with felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with Starkey’s death.
Haithem Ibrahim, 20, of Lafayette, Calif., who was Starkey’s big brother in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, was charged with a felony violation for hazing causing death or great bodily injury and a misdemeanor for furnishing alcohol to a minor causing death or great bodily injury.
Zacary Ellis, 22, of San Luis Obispo, allegedly in charge of the alcohol binge involving pledge members, was charge with the same felony and misdemeanor charges as Ibrahim.
Russell Taylor, 22 of Fresno, who allegedly bought the alcohol Starkey drank, was charged with two misdemeanor counts for hazing and furnishing alcohol.
Adam Marszal, 21, of Carmichael, who allegedly took part in the alcohol purchasing, were charged with the same two misdemeanor counts.
The four suspects posted bail and were freed Thursday from the San Luis Obispo County Jail. They surrendered to authorities Thursday after warrants were issued for their arrest.
The arrests followed months of investigation into the death of Starkey following a fraternity drinking ritual called Brown Bag Night, one of the events during the school’s pledge week. . . .
Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo has issued a formal statement, according to another news source:
http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=10405678
The Starkey family has also issued a statement:
http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=10405143