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Thursday, July 31, 1997
Sixteen Texas A&M students accused of hazing
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Sixteen Texas A&M University
students face charges of hazing in connection with events that
allegedly occurred while they were part of the elite Fish Drill
Team, the school announced Wednesday.
The students were mailed letters informing them of the charges,
and the students have three days to schedule an administrative
hearing.
"We want to make it clear to everyone that Texas A&M
takes this very seriously," Texas A&M spokeswoman Mary
Jo Powell said. "We believe this is unacceptable behavior
and we want everyone to know that."
If the students are found guilty, punishment could range from
a reprimand to expulsion.
All of the new charges are related to hazing within the drill
team that is alleged to have occurred during the past several
years. The drill team is a precision rifle unit in the Corps of
Cadets made up entirely of freshmen.
Nine students have already received sanctions for hazing that
school officials say occurred within the group. The new charges
stem from testimony those students gave during their hearings
last spring.
The nine students also have been indicted on hazing charges
by a Brazos County grand jury. Two have pleaded no contest to
the charges and have cooperated with authorities.
In a related case, a former Texas A&M student who claims
that he was severely hazed filed a $25 million federal lawsuit
against the school, three A&M officials and nine students
earlier this month.
Travis Alton of Tyler filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court
in Galveston. He contends that he was slapped, punched and kicked
on several occasions by upper-class advisers to the Fish Drill
Team.
Brazos County Attorney James Kuboviak said the county is not
pursuing indictments against the 16 students at this time. Send
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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