Former Phi Gamma Delta members charged in hazing case due in court this week
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Four former Phi Gamma Delta members at the University of Missouri charged in a hazing case are due in court this week.
Thomas Shultz is scheduled to appear Monday for a hearing at 10:30 a.m. The Boone County Prosecutor's Office charges Shultz and others with hazing after an October 2021 party left Danny Santulli with severe alcohol poisoning.
Alec Wetzler is due in court for a case review Tuesday at 9 a.m. Benjamin Karl is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Samuel Lane is also set to appear for a preliminary hearing Thursday at 9 a.m.
Santulli was at the FIJI house where he was forced to drink alcohol as part of his pledge initiation, according to court documents. At the time of the incident, a witness reportedly told University of Missouri police that Santulli drank around three-fourths of a fifth of vodka.
Santulli's family said the incident left him unable to walk or communicate. In May, the family settled with nearly two dozen defendants in a lawsuit filed after the incident.
The University of Missouri removed the fraternity from campus after the party and student protests.
FIJI faced other recent hazing violations. During the spring 2021 semester, a University of Missouri spokesperson said the fraternity was given a violation for making pledges do physical exercises, buy members food, and clean members' houses.
