Following their Wednesday sentencing on misdemeanour hazing-related crimes in the death of a Bowling Green State University student last year, two former fraternity brothers were given six weeks in jail.
In May, the two men were both found not guilty of more severe counts, such as involuntary manslaughter and reckless murder, related to the death of Stone Foltz, 20, in March 2021.
Troy Henricksen, 24, of Grove City, Ohio, was sentenced on Wednesday to 42 days in prison and 28 days of home arrest after being found guilty of hazing and disobeying the rule against serving alcohol to minors.
In addition to receiving a 42-day prison term, Jacob Krinn, 21, of Delaware, Ohio, was found guilty of hazing, obstruction of government business, and refusal to cooperate.
Authorities claim that Foltz, a sophomore from Delaware, Ohio, died from alcohol poisoning after being forced to consume an entire bottle of alcohol at a fraternity initiation ceremony.
After being dropped off to his apartment by members of the fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha, he was discovered unconscious by a roommate. Three days after being placed on life support, Foltz passed away.
In a statement before to the defendants’ sentence, Foltz’s parents referred to the defendants’ conduct as “cruel, thoughtless, and damaging – to their lives and ours.”
The family has filed a lawsuit against the institution, claiming that it ignored hazing in Greek life despite being aware of it. The institution referred to the passing as a tragedy but rejected the family’s case as being without substance.
Six more former fraternity members entered guilty pleas to a range of offences, and several of them gave testimony against Henrickson and Krinn. All were required to serve a total of 28 days under house arrest and received prison sentences ranging from seven to 28 days.