Judge won't reduce charges in SMU-APA hazing

[hoosier]

SMU Hazing Hearing

May 20, 2004 3:36 pm US/Central
A state judge today refused to dismiss indictments against eight men, accused of injuring an SMU student during a fraternity party last year.
The men, Raymond Augusta Lee, 26, Onyekachi Ibekwe, 27, Filmon Fasil Berhe, 24, Uche Stanley Kalu, 24, Brandon Burnett Perry, 21, Cornelius S. Smith, Jr., 22, Eric Adaryll Bowie, 26, and Jason Kirkpatrick Harkey, 24, are charged with one count each of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony in the November 15, 2003 incident.
Attorneys for the men argued that the indictments against their clients should be thrown out because, they believe, felony charges are inappropriate in this case, and that a misdemeanor hazing statute should have been utilized.
State District Judge Karen Greene disagreed, denying the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members' motion to quash the indictments.
The charges stem from a November 15, 2003 incident, in which a fraternity pledge, 21-year-old Braylon Curry, slipped into a coma after he became over-hydrated while drinking a large amount of water inside an apartment near the Southern Methodist University campus.
Authorities believe the injuries were the result of a hazing ritual, conducted for pledges to join the fraternity. Detectives say that along with consuming large quantities of water, pledges were struck as they were made to consume alcohol and hot sauce.
Curry was hospitalized for several weeks following the incident. He has since been released and is expected to make a full recovery.
If convicted, each of the eight men face up to twenty years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. They are all currently free on bond.
Trial dates in the cases have not yet been determined.