Alleged University of Houston hazing victim said charge filed against Pi Kappa Alpha 'falls short' of the mark
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A former University of Houston student who says he was the victim of a brutal hazing incident said the district attorney's decision to re-indict the frat, and not the members, falls short.
A hazing charge leveled against a University of Houston fraternity isn't exactly what Jared Munoz thought would happen when he came forward.
"It's almost like shooting a shot in the air," Munoz explained. "It's not really targeting anyone. It falls short of the mark of setting the right example."
Three years ago, Munoz says he was the victim of a brutal hazing incident at Pi Kappa Alpha. Munoz said he was blindfolded, and driven off-campus.
Munoz told ABC13 he was forced to roll in feces, vomit, and spit. Later, he said he was forced to run across a field at night holding glow sticks, as frat members blindsided him.
He said the hazing left him in the hospital with a lacerated spleen and put him in the ICU.
The university suspended the fraternity and a hazing charge was leveled, not against any member, but the national Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. The case was dismissed on a filing error.
Last week, the district attorney announced the grand jury re-indicted the organization. ABC13's legal expert Steve Shellist said the organization faces a $10,000 fine.
"You can't put an organization in jail," Shellist explained. "You can't put an organization on probation. All you can do is fine them."
Shellist was surprised more charges weren't filed. After reading the indictment, he said frat members could've faced felonies.
"You could have unlawful restraint," Shellist said. "You could have kidnapping charges. You would have assault charges. You would have aggravated assault charges."
Charges would have to come quickly. Shellist said the statute of limitations ends in a couple of months.
The district attorney's office can't comment on the grand jury process, but did send ABC13 a statement:
A judge quashed the previous indictment because it insufficiently tracked the statutory language in the Texas Education Code, and not because of the strength or weakness of the case.
Prosecutors adjusted the wording, added information, and went back to a grand jury; the jurors voted to issue an indictment. The new indictment, for example, names specific fraternity members who allegedly committed acts of hazing
Shellist believes it's possible frat brothers were given immunity to admit what happened.
"If he didn't know who ruptured his spleen, because it was pitch black outside, and the other kids aren't talking, the DA's office may never have had an opportunity to charge an individual," Shellist explained.
Frat members may not face a criminal jury, but they might see a civil one. Munoz filed a million-dollar lawsuit in hopes to get justice for what he says was a brutal form of hazing.
"I want to set the example for the rest of the nation," Munoz said. "This is still a national crisis. Still losing sons and daughters, brothers and sisters to this kind of crisis."
We reached out to Pi Kappa Alpha for a comment, but we haven't heard from the organization.
The University of Houston sent ABC13 a statement:
UNIVERSITY STATEMENT:
In October 2017, the University of Houston took administrative action to suspend the UH chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity for activities that violate the University hazing policy, which is consistent with the Texas Education Code. In 2017, the UH Police Department coordinated with the Harris County District Attorney's Office in investigating these activities, which revealed violations that occurred off-campus in 2016.
We are grateful that our county partners have delivered a stern message through the grand jury's decision against the fraternity, that such behavior, which jeopardizes the wellbeing of our students, will not be tolerated.
Our University takes pride in the camaraderie and well-rounded experience of our students, and for many, that includes participating in fraternity and sorority life. We take seriously our responsibility to train our fraternities and sororities to adhere to University policy and laws against hazing and the need to conduct themselves in a safe manner.
Background: UH placed the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity under interim suspension on July 21, 2017 until completion of an administrative investigation. The current suspension expires in Oct. 2023. Hazing is defined in Sec. 3.16 of theUH Student Code of Conduct, consistent with Sec. 37.151 of the Texas Education Code.
RELATED LINKS:
Hazing case dismissed against University of Houston fraternity
Former UH student suing frat says he nearly died from hazing
University of Houston fraternity responds to hazing lawsuit filed by former student
Indictment: Pi Kappa Alpha pledge at UH forced to roll in vomit, feces
