LSU Police are investigating an alleged hazing incident involving Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity after a student was hospitalized with alcohol intoxication. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says the incident is hauntingly familiar to the Max Gruver case, but this time witnesses are cooperating.
“Similarities there’re some differences. Right off the bat what caught me was just the cooperation that was gained early on, and that is always important in these types of cases to get cooperation immediately. If you wait too long evidence dissipates it is gone,” says Moore.
Moore plans to meet with LSU Police tomorrow and discuss evidence and details they have obtained from witnesses so far concerning the alleged hazing incident.
“They’re going to continue to interview witnesses and collect any evidence that they can, to come up with a decision as to what happened that night and did anything wrong happen criminally, any culpability there, and that takes some time,” says Moore.
LSU Greek life was in the national spotlight following the death of freshman pledge Max Gruver for alcohol poisoning in 2017. That case sparked legislation enforcing harsher penalties and holding social organizations responsible for such incidents.
“I think that the Gruver Act, and the law has really changed the mindset of the way that universities and then administrative folks that are involved with fraternities, how they respond,” says Moore.
Phi Kappa Psi has been suspended from chapter activities amid the ongoing criminal investigation.
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