Cal Poly hazing death prompts amnesty program

December 2, 2009

By KAREN VELIE

On the one year anniversary of the hazing death of California Polytechnic State University freshman Carson Starkey, Texas alcohol regulators announced an amnesty program aimed at helping to stop alcohol deaths. [Star-Telegram]

Starkey, an Austin Texas native, died after obeying a Sigma Alpha Epsilon order to drink a bottle of alcohol. After Starkey lost consciousness, fraternity members removed his fraternity pin and pledge book and started to drive the unresponsive pledge to the hospital.

However, after Starkey allegedly regained consciousness, the fraternity members took him home and placed him on a bed. Starkey was pronounced dead the next morning.

According to the amnesty program, Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission agents will not cite minors for the illegal consumption or possession of alcohol if the individual seeks medical attention or if the minor has been the victim of a sexual or violent crime

A trial date has not yet been set for two Cal Poly students, Haithem Ibrahim and Zacary Ellis, accused of felony hazing in the death of Starkey. A motion hearing is set for Dec. 14.

Fraternity members Adam Marszel and Russell Taylor plead not guilty to misdemeanor charges for furnishing alcohol to a minor and hazing resulting in death.

In September, Starkey’s parents, Scott and Julia Starkey, filed a civil suit that accuses the fraternity and nine of its members of four counts of negligence and violations of Matt’s Law.

Matt’s Law was named in memory of Matt Carrington, a student who died as the result of a hazing ritual at Chico State University. The law allows for felony prosecution and civil actions against the perpetrators of a hazing that results in great bodily injury or death.