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The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity that has been suspended at the University of Houston until 2023 has been indicted by a grand jury. The disgraced fraternity was indicted for the alleged cruel treatment of pledges. The charges were announced on Thursday, December 14.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office clarifies the misdemeanor indictment is for the fraternity as a group, not for one specific individual.
According to reports, the hazing incident in question was reported over three nights to stretch during November 2016. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office alleged that the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, also known as PIKE, caused their pledges to be “weakened physically, and broken down mentally.”
“Brotherhood and collegiate good times should be safe and hazing is not,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a written statement. “It is also illegal and that should be recognized by the dozens of fraternities and sororities on college campuses all over the Houston area.”
Furthermore, the DA office alleged that the fraternity to force pledges to roll around in their own waste.
via ABC:
The fraternity made the pledge roll around in vomit, spit and feces, as well as going without food, drink and sleep, prosecutors claim.
Prosecutors added the pledge reportedly took part in a game of tag that involved a frat member tackling him. The pledge was hospitalized with a lacerate spleen.
“Brotherhood and collegiate good times should be safe and hazing is not,” said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. “It is also illegal and that should be recognized by the dozens of fraternities and sororities on college campuses all over the Houston area.”
Pi Kappa Alpha faces a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.
The indictment comes at a time when large universities are undergoing major Greek life overhaul, as schools such as joining the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State and Penn State have recently suspended Greek Life.
