Charges filed in connection with a hazing incident at former University of Missouri frat
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Charges have been filed in connection with a hazing incident at a former University of Missouri fraternity.
Alex Wetzler has been charged with two misdemeanor charges; one charge of supplying liquor to a minor or intoxicated person and one charge of purchase/attempt ot purchase or possession of liquor by a minor.
Court documents say Wetzler provided Daniel Santulli with a beer bong and bought alcohol for another pledge. University of Missouri police wrote in a probable cause statement that security footage shows Wetzler giving out alcohol throughout the Oct. 19, 2021 party that ended with Santulli's hospitalization and Phi Gamma Delta's loss of recognition on campus.
While police requested a felony count of hazing for Wetzler, Boone County prosecutors instead pursued two misdemeanor counts - one for getting liquor for an underage pledge and another for his own possession of alcohol as a minor.
Santulli's family this week asked a judge to add Wetzler and another fraternity member to their lawsuit over Daniel's injuries. The family settled claims last month with the fraternity and several former members present that night.
"These charges are very appropriate. You cannot pour alcohol down the throat of an intoxicated pledge and think you can get away with it,” said David Bianchi, the Santulli family attorney.
Police said video footage showed the pledges walking shirtless through the house the night of the "Pledge Father" reveal event. A probable cause statement said full members of the fraternity can be seen pouring beer on the pledges and tripping them. The pledges are led to the basement, and come back about 40 minutes later "covered in red and yellow substances that may be ketchup and mustard," police wrote.
Santulli was left disabled last fall after suffering alcohol poisoning after drinking at Phi Gamma Delta.
Bianchi said they are still waiting on other charges to be filed.
Rusty Antel, an attorney that previously represented Wetzler in a Columbia municipal case, declined comment on the new state charges.
