They allegedly hog-tied, beat student
Monday, December 15, 2003
Vermont
BURLINGTON, Vt. - Four men who belong to a University of Vermont fraternity are accused of hog-tying a fellow Delta Psi member and paddling him when he wouldn't follow commands.
The state police cited the four men with "unlawful restraint," a second degree felony, for the Nov. 16 incident.
John McFarland, 20; Gerard Magrini, 20; Jess Toochin, 21; and Benjamin Emery, 20, will be formally charged and arraigned in January, State Police Sgt. Dee Glynn said.
The police are not pursuing hazing charges at this time, Glynn said, but the state's attorney's office is reviewing the case.
The Delta Psi fraternity has been put on an interim suspension until more details about the evening are revealed, UVM Student Life Director Patrick Brown said.
The four men sought out the man they snagged in Bolton, Glynn said. The four suspects forced him into the vehicle and they tied him up. He remained restrained until they returned to the Burlington fraternity house, where he was taken to the basement.
Still bound, he was paddled when he did not follow commands, Glynn said. The police did not say what he refused to do. After a while, the abducted man was released.
Magrini said the incident was just a misunderstanding.
"It just so happened we were in the fraternity," he said. "It has nothing to do with the fraternity. It has nothing to do with initiation. It has nothing to do with hazing. The guy is a buddy of ours."
Such allegations are taken seriously, university spokesman Enrique Corredera said.
"It's well known serious accidents have occurred around the country during these types of activities," Corredera said.
In addition to the state investigation of the hog-tying incident, the university's student life department, student judicial affairs and the fraternity council will conduct their own investigations.
Roy Simpadian, president of the fraternity council, said enough information has come to light to prompt a hearing from his board. His council has the ability to cancel recognition of the fraternity if the charges are confirmed, he said.
Monday, December 15, 2003
http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/news...rat_2003.shtml
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