8 SMU APhiA hazers indicted for felony

[hoosier]

Eight indicted in fraternity hazing incident at SMU
1/17/2004 1:24 PM
By: Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) -- Eight men were indicted on felony assault charges in a fraternity-related hazing incident that seriously injured a Southern Methodist University student.

Dallas County District Attorney Bill Hill says prosecutors chose to pursue the felony charges rather than misdemeanor hazing charges because of the seriousness of the allegations -- and the injuries the victim suffered.

Filmon Berhe, Eric Bowie, Jason Harkey, Onyekachi Ibekwe, Uche Kalu, Raymond Lee III, Brandon Perry and Cornelius Smith Jr. face two to 20 years in prison if convicted of the second-degree felony aggravated assault charges. The Dallas Morning News reports that the men were indicted yesterday.

Braylon Curry, a pledge with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, went into a coma in November after being forced to consume large amounts of water. Police say that at times, he and another pledge were physically struck and mentally harassed.