Several University of Alabama students were charged in alleged fraternity hazing incidents, where a pledge claimed he was shoved, stepped on, and had items thrown at him. Court documents reveal that videos from the TV room and band room captured the alleged hazing incidents that occurred on Aug. 25 and Aug. 28 at the Pi Kappa Phi house. The four students charged with two counts of hazing each were Christopher Theodore Molineaux, Grant Henry Rakers, Joshua Donald Ferrito, and Charles William Grey.
Rakers’ attorney stated that he was still reviewing the evidence and urged not to make judgments until all facts are known. Grey’s attorney argued that his client only failed to report the incidents and did not physically harm anyone. The University of Alabama took the matter seriously and stated that hazing is strictly prohibited according to university policy and the law.
The court documents describe the hazing incidents in detail, including pledges being forced to perform calisthenics, being yelled at, stepped on, pushed, and having items thrown at them. One of the students, Molineaux, was accused of shoving and striking one of the pledges in the band room.
The university’s investigation led to campus police serving warrants against several members of the fraternity. The families of the accused students declined to comment on the charges, and Pi Kappa Phi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of hazing within university fraternities and the importance of reporting such incidents to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
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