JACKSONVILLE, Alabama — Four men pleaded guilty Tuesday to their involvement in hazing at Jacksonville State University.
The Anniston Star reports (http://bit.ly/Z0hHjt) that 22-year-old Justavious Johnson, 23-year-old Juston Thomas, 23-year-old Mikel Whitter and 28-year-old Varian May each pleaded guilty to one count of hazing stemming from a November 2011 incident.
The victim told investigators he was trying to pledge Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and was ordered to drink alcohol, was hit with eggs, paddles and other objects and was repeatedly beaten at an off-campus site for about four hours.
The man was hospitalized and suffered from internal bleeding, reduced kidney functioning and other injuries. The victim was hospitalized for 24 days and filed a civil suit against the fraternity and its Jacksonville State chapter.
JSU's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha has since been dismissed from campus. A university official has said that the incident was one of the worst hazing cases the school has seen.
Twelve other men have been charged with hazing and assault, and two others have been charged with hazing in the case.
Information from: The Anniston Star, http://www.annistonstar.com/
Content enhanced with OpenCalais.