Twenty-two arrest warrants have been issued in connection with an alleged hazing death of a freshman at Northern Illinois University. Prosecutors believe that the NIU frat hazing killed 19-year-old David Bogenberger.

In November, Bogenberger was found dead at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house near NIU’s DeKalb campus.

Toxicology tests showed the freshman had a blood-alcohol concentration about five times the legal limit for driving, reports Chicago’s WMAQ-TV. While cardiac arrhythmia is listed as the official cause of death, police believe that alcohol intoxication was a significant factor.

The other 17 arrest warrants were issued for frat members who are accused of providing alcohol to underage pledges and “creating a situation where the pledges felt compelled to consume alcohol as part of membership initiation and the Greek parenting process,” according to WMAQ.

In the wake of several high-profile hazing deaths, many states, including Illinois, have adopted anti-hazing laws to stop this potentially dangerous practice. Anti-hazing laws typically make those participating in hazing responsible for a victim’s death or injury. In some cases, participants may be committing a crime simply by being present at a hazing incident, even if no one is injured.

Along with criminal penalties, most colleges and universities also prohibit hazing. So in addition to any criminal penalties, a hazing participants can also be suspended from school and face other disciplinary measures.

Hazing is a relatively new crime and there may be little precedent on how these cases are handled. If you are charged with a hazing-related crime, you will want to work with a criminal defense attorney to help weigh your options and available defenses.

Related Resources:

  • 22 NIU frat members charged in freshman’s hazing death (Chicago Tribune)
  • Is Hazing Illegal? (FindLaw’s Blotter)
  • Cornell Frat Guilty in Alcohol Hazing Death (FindLaw’s Blotter)
  • FAMU Band ‘President’ Charged in Hazing Death (FindLaw’s Blotter)

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Civil Rights

Block on Trump’s Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court

Criminal

Judges Can Release Secret Grand Jury Records

Politicians Can’t Block Voters on Facebook, Court Rules