September 15, 2015
Five fraternity members at a New York college were charged with third-degree murder on Monday for the hazing-related death of a pledge during a Pennsylvania Poconos weekend retreat back in 2013.
According to the New York Times, the victim, 19-year-old Baruch College freshman Chun Hsien Deng, was allegedly forced to wear a sand-weighed backpack while blindfolded and trying to make his way across a frozen yard as members of the fraternity, Pi Delta Psi, tackled him.
“During at least one tackle, he was lifted up and dropped on the ground in a move known as spearing, according to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department” in Monroe County, Pa.
Deng had reported complained his head hurt but continued participating and was eventually knocked out, police said.
The authorities said the fraternity members also delayed in seeking medical help.
The charges were filed after a lengthy investigation into who of the dozens of Pi Delta Psi chapter members present for the retreat were involved in the hazing.
On Monday, Monroe County District Attorney E. David Christine announced the names of the defendants who will face third-degree murder charges and up to 20 years in prison for Deng’s death - Charles Lai, Kenny Kwan, Raymond Lam, Daniel Li and Sheldon Wong.
A total of 37 Pi Delta Psi members present for the reteat would face a range of criminal charges, including assault, hindering apprehension and hazing and the fraternity is also being charged.
Read the full The New York Times article here.
