|
Results from administrators that believe they can control GLO's by expelling them...
Press-Republican
Pltttsbugh, NY
March 13, 2003
College student dies
Freshman was pledging outlaw frat, but death unsolved
By ANNA JOLLY
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH -- A Plattsburgh State freshman died Wednesday after his
last night of pledging at a fraternity whose charter had been revoked
by the school.
Walter Dean Jennings, 18, was taken from 72 Broad St. -- home of the
suspended fraternity Psi Epsilon Chi -- to CVPH Medical Center around
12:45 p.m. Wednesday by a private car.
At 4 p.m., he was taken by ambulance to Fletcher Allen Health Care in
Burlington, where he was pronounced dead around 9:30 p.m.
An autopsy took place Thursday in Vermont, but preliminary results
were not released by Plattsburgh City Police.
A friend of the Jennings family said he died of an aneurysm, and that
was listed in his obituary as the cause of death.
"This is not a circumstance that should cause public alarm,"
Plattsburgh City Police Chief Desmond Racicot said. "We are
investigating all reports; college is going on spring break soon, so
we are trying to gather all information now."
He would not reveal details about Jennings's injuries or a possible
cause of death, but Racicot said the teen was "completely
unresponsive" and in critical condition when police saw him at CVPH.
Racicot is not expecting a toxicology report for a few weeks.
"I know he was pledging his fraternity," said Jennings's roommate,
19-year-old Adam Lewin. "It was a 10-day pledge cycle, and Wednesday
was his last day."
Lewin lived with Jennings at Hood Hall.
"The police took statements from all the frat brothers," Lewin said.
Jennings is from Gansevoort, which is just north of Saratoga, and was
a secondary-education major at Plattsburgh State.
Racicot would not say whether Jennings's injuries were related to a
hazing incident.
"This a very tragic death," Racicot said. "We will hopefully have
more information soon."
The Psi Epsilon Chi fraternity was suspended by the college in March
1998 after it was found responsible for allowing underage people to
drink alcohol and for charging people to attend parties.
Suspended Greek organizations are not allowed to recruit new members,
but some continue to pledge "underground."
The college does not have an official policy concerning underground
pledging, said spokesman Keith Tyo, who said he is not aware of this
happening at Plattsburgh State.
Clinton County District Attorney Richard Cantwell could not say
Thursday if criminal charges will be filed because the death was
still being investigated.
Freshman Kathryn Hu had hooked up with Jennings and was considering dating him.
"Seriously, to let a life slip away like that; they say they are
brothers, but are they really watching out for each other?" she said
of the fraternity.
University Police Chief Arlene Sabo saw Jennings's parents, Walter
and Sue, in Vermont Wednesday night and said they were obviously
upset.
"It's always tragic to lose someone so young," she said.
The Jennings's other child had died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome years ago.
Plattsburgh State has counselors available to help friends cope with
the loss, Sabo said.
"The campus community is saddened by this, and people have
questions," she said. "We're asking for patience; let's not jump to
any conclusions."
Sabo asks anyone with information to call Plattsburgh City Police at 563-3411.
Copyright 2001, Plattsburgh Publishing Co.
__________________
SN -SINCE 1869-
"EXCELLING WITH HONOR"
S N E T T
Mu Tau 5, Central Oklahoma
|
Linear Mode
