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