Beating=Potential big fines and jail time...

[DeltAlum]

Way over the edge...

I hope that nobody wants to argue that the punishment isn't deserved. It's just lucky we're not talking another pledge death here.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
June 1, 2002

6 SIUE STUDENTS ARE INDICTED IN INITIATION INCIDENT

By Paul Hampel And Alexa Aguilar Of The Post-Dispatch

* Fraternity pledge was beaten so badly at initiation that he was in
an intensive care unit for days, Madison County state's attorney says.

A fraternity pledge nearly died when an initiation paddling at
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in April turned into a
severe beating, said Madison County State's Attorney William R. Haine.

He alleged that Phi Beta Sigma fraternity members struck Prentice
Motley, 19, hard enough to rupture a kidney and put him in an
intensive care unit for several days. "(Doctors) were concerned about
his surviving," Haine said Friday at his office. "(The suspects) just
beat the heck out of him."

Motley has fully recovered, Haine said.

Every member of the six-man fraternity was indicted in connection
with the incident. Facing felony hazing charges are Deanthony A.
Moore, 22, of St. Louis; Richard Harris, 19, of Chicago; Frederick
James Spencer, 19, of Florissant; Malike A. Perkins, 22, of East St.
Louis; and Doue Carter, 21, of Edwardsville.

The men were also charged with perjury, a more serious offense, which
carries a prison term of up to five years. The hazing charges carry
terms of up to three years. Both offenses are also punishable by
fines of up to $25,000.

The other fraternity member, Christopher L. Conner, was charged with
misdemeanor hazing for allegedly paddling two other pledges, Jacob
Jenkins and Adedamola Oshin. Police said Jenkins and Oshin were not
seriously hurt. Oshin, however, also faces perjury charges.

"They told us there had been no hazing, not now, not ever," Haine
said. "Quite frankly, they all came in here and tried to hardball us,
as if we were just going to go away."

Authorities determined that Motley, of Decatur, Ill., had endured a
previous paddling at the hands of the fraternity brothers in March.
Both rituals took place at night in wooded areas on the campus,
authorities said. Motley's injuries came to light when his mother
complained to campus police.

SIUE officials suspended Phi Beta Sigma, an active group at the
school since 1985, from any campus activities pending the outcome of
the case. SIUE spokesman Greg Conroy said the fraternity brothers
might face expulsion under the school's code of conduct.

"We've had minor pranks in the past involving fraternities, but
nothing of this magnitude," Conroy said. "We consider this a major
violation."

Like all but one of the other 14 recognized fraternities and
sororities at the university, Phi Beta Sigma does not have its own
fraternity house on campus. Greek organizations at the school average
23 members, Conroy said.

At the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, which has the only on-campus
house, one member came to the defense of the suspects on Friday.

"These are pretty positive guys, church guys," said Stephen Dunn, a
communications major who said his fraternity enjoyed a friendly
rivalry with "the Sigmas."

Each year, the two fraternities square off in an annual dance
competition called The Black Greek Marchdown. Phi Beta Sigma won the
marchdown in 2000 and last year.

"All fraternity rivalry aside, I can only say positive things about
them," Dunn said.

Bonds for the suspects ranged from $10,000 to $50,000. Two suspects,
Conner and Moore, posted bond on Friday and were released.

Copyright 2002 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Inc.