[hoosier]

Police investigate burn incident for criminal intent

By PURVI PATEL
Published , December 03, 2004, 06:00:01 AM EDT


Athens-Clarke County Police say although they think a University student was severely burned by accident during a fraternity event, they will continue to investigate for criminal intent.

Capt. Mark Sizemore of the ACC Police said in a phone interview Thursday police will interview Lambda Chi Alpha members again to find out how William Flynn Miller, a senior from Savannah, was burned during the fraternity's senior night.

"The fire department will be looking at it," he said. "We just want to review what occurred and make sure nothing occurred of a criminal nature."

Miller suffered third degree burns on 20 percent of his body when a bottle of Everclear was ignited by an open flame near where he stood in a room at his fraternity house early Tuesday morning.

He underwent surgery Wednesday at an Augusta burn unit, and is expected to be sent home Friday.

Jay Sammons, outgoing president of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, said he spoke with hospital officials in Augusta who informed him there has been no change in Miller's condition.

University and fraternity officials also are continuing their own investigations on the accident.

Claudia Shamp, associate dean of student affairs at the Greek Life office said her office is working to resolve the matter.

"We are collecting information at this point and are working collaboratively with the local chapter and fraternity national organization and the University," she said. "Obviously this is just a terrible accident, and our thoughts are with the young man."

Ben Bullock, president of the Interfraternity Council and a senior from Atlanta, said his organization is waiting to see how Miller is recovering.

"Our first concern is whether he is going be OK," he said. "We're looking into the whole situation to see if any action should be taken."

Bullock said IFC's judicial board has different repercussions that apply to different situations.

"We do know that there was no hazing involved, as everyone was initiated a couple of weeks ago," he said.

Betsy Bly, director of publications for Lambda Chi Alpha, said from their international headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind. that they have yet to receive a copy of the police report of the incident.

The Lambda Chi Alpha office will soon release a new statement about its thoughts and follow-up action of the incident, she said.