Suspect in University of Missouri hazing case pleads not guilty
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
One of the suspects in what authorities say was a hazing incident that left a University of Missouri student disabled pleaded not guilty Friday.
Samuel Gandhi’s lawyer appeared on his behalf, waived his arraignment and entered a not-guilty plea in Boone County court. Gandhi, of St. Louis, was charged in July with felony hazing that endangered the life of Danny Santulli.
Santulli, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was left blind and unable to walk or speak after he suffered from alcohol poisoning during a fraternity event last October. He was a freshman.
The fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, was kicked out of MU and its national organization after the incident.
Santulli’s family has reached settlements in civil lawsuits with several fraternity members and MU took disciplinary action against some of them. Gandhi is one of several members charged criminally in connection with Santulli’s poisoning.
Santulli’s family has alleged in court that the fraternity members forced him to drink vodka and hesitated to get him medical help after he became unresponsive.
John O’Neill also waived his arraignment earlier this week and was granted a change of judge.
O’Neill, Gandhi and fellow defendants Samuel Lane, Thomas Shults, Harrison Reichman and Benjamin Parres have hearings scheduled this month and next month.
