Six Five fraternity members charged with the hazing death of a college student accepted guilty pleas Friday. (3:39 p.m. This corrects a previous version. One member, Ryan Lawson, had his case continued for twelve months.)*
All six were got two-year suspended sentences and a $1,000 fine.
If they have good behavior, they will not get jail time.
The six were charged in connection to the death of Sam Mason in October 2010.
Mason died of alcohol poisoning.
The group was part of the Tau Kappa Epsilon at Radford University.
A seventh member, Dustin Moore, pled guilty last week.
He was convicted on two misdemeanors and sentenced to two months in jail.
Moore was characterized as Mason's "big brother" of the fraternity.
The Commonwealth's Attorney say he gave Mason a bottle of Crown Royal liquor that he drank the night he died in October 2010.
Here is the statement from the Commonwealth's Attorney:
The Commonwealth must acknowledge and thank the citizens who served as members of the investigative special grand jury. Immediately following the death of Sam Mason the Radford University TKE fraternity instituted a code of silence which hindered the investigation. Details concerning how Sam died were uncovered only through the use of the special grand jury and compelled sworn testimony. The investigation revealed Sam was given a bottle of liquor as a TKE pledge gift. The specific brand of alcohol given as gifts were dictated as part of a long-standing tradition and incorporated into a TKE pledging ritual. Witnesses report Mason consumed his entire bottle of liquor in under an hour. Mason eventually vomited, was put to bed, passed out and later died. The medical examiner found Mason's death was caused by acute ethanol poisoning and a .48 blood alcohol content.
Requiring pleas of guilty and convictions for all but one defendant, the agreements were structured with input from the victim’s family. The guilty pleas also avoided trials and sent one particular defendant to jail for Christmas. This case vividly illustrates the hazards and risks of binge drinking. Those who commit crimes of hazing in Radford can expect to be identified, prosecuted and convicted. Our work on this case should serve as both a warning and deterrent for those tempted to abuse alcohol, haze or succumb to the pressure of hazing.
Here is the statement from Mason's family:
On October 15, 2010, our family was devastated by the death of Sam, my son, a brother, a nephew, a cousin and a friend. Our loss is worsened by the knowledge that his death was caused by illegal hazing by the TKE fraternity, and should have been prevented. We would like to thank Sam’s many friends for their outpouring of support and compassion which has meant so much to our family. We are also forever grateful to Commonwealth Attorney Chris Rehak, his team, and the Radford police department. Their tireless work, strength, and courage prevented Sam’s death from being swept under the rug. In honor of Sam’s memory, we will support all efforts to expose the dangers of hazing and protect other families from the unbearable pain and suffering that we have experienced.
*TKE #7 (Lawson) was not convicted because I felt he was the most truthful TKE witness we had testify under oath. At trial the government would have relied heavily on his account of what transpired that night- Chris Rehak, Radford Commonwealth's Attorney.
The Commonwealth must acknowledge and thank the citizens who served as members of the investigative special grand jury. Immediately following the death of Sam Mason the Radford University TKE fraternity instituted a code of silence which hindered the investigation. Details concerning how Sam died were uncovered only through the use of the special grand jury and compelled sworn testimony. The investigation revealed Sam was given a bottle of liquor as a TKE pledge gift. The specific brand of alcohol given as gifts were dictated as part of a long-standing tradition and incorporated into a TKE pledging ritual. Witnesses report Mason consumed his entire bottle of liquor in under an hour. Mason eventually vomited, was put to bed, passed out and later died. The medical examiner found Mason's death was caused by acute ethanol poisoning and a .48 blood alcohol content. Requiring pleas of guilty and convictions for all but one defendant, the agreements were structured with input from the victim’s family. The guilty pleas also avoided trials and sent one particular defendant to jail for Christmas. This case vividly illustrates the hazards and risks of binge drinking. Those who commit crimes of hazing in Radford can expect to be identified, prosecuted and convicted. Our work on this case should serve as both a warning and deterrent for those tempted to abuse alcohol, haze or succumb to the pressure of hazing.
