Sigma Alpha Epsilon Hazing Death at Cornell University

7/1/2011
Mark Anderson
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Sigma Alpha Epsilon Hazing Death at Cornell University

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Cornell University is being sued for $25 million for wrongful death by the mother of a student for who was allegedly forced to drink so much alcohol that he died.

George Desdunes, a 19-year-old sophomore and SAE member, was kidnapped by students pledging his house, tied up, and made to answer trivia questions about his fraternity. If he answered incorrectly, other members forced him to do exercises or consume various food and drinks that contained sugar, flavored syrups and vodka.

Desdunes reportedly passed out, but rather than being taken to the hospital he was left, still tied up, on a couch in the house's library. He was later pronounced dead from alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol level was .409 - or five times the legal limit.

His mother, Marie Lourdes Andre, says at least five other deaths have occurred at SAE chapters since 1997. (The fraternity has more than 240 chapters nationwide with some 300,000 initiated members.)

Tragedies like this sadden me because this is something that could have been prevented. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Desdunes family and friends. I hope whoever is responsible for this gets the punishment they deserve, as it is the responsibility of fraternity members to look out for and protect their friends. It is because of their negligence that this horrific incident occurred. Hazing incidences of this kind should not be tolerated, and I hope this is a warning for other fraternities who think behavior like this is acceptable.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/FortWorth wrongful death attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about wrongful death, fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.

Category: Wrongful Death

Labels: alcohol poisoning Cornell University Dallas/Fort Worth wrongful death attorney fraternity hazing Sigma Alpha Epsilon wrongful death

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