Five Baruch Frat Brothers Charged With Murder In 2013 Hazing Death

Five fraternity brothers have been charged with murder, and as many as 32 more may face charges in the 2013 hazing death of a freshman at Baruch College.

On Monday, a grand jury recommended third-degree murder charges against five former members of Baruch College’s Pi Delta Psi fraternity in the death of 19-year-old Michael Deng.

Deng died of a head injury in December 2013 after participating in the fraternity’s hazing ritual called “glass ceiling.”

WFMZ reported:

The ritual had Deng blindfolded and carrying a 30-pound weighted backpack on his back. He then needed to push through a line of fraternity brothers who are trying to stop him from getting through.

Police say the brothers “speared” and tackled Deng during this ritual. Deng, they say, complained about his head hurting and was eventually knocked unconscious. Deng was having trouble breathing but his fraternity brothers did not immediately call for help.

Instead, they called their National Fraternity President, Andy Meng, who told them to hide all fraternity items. Some of the men also researched Deng’s condition online.

According to police, Deng was not taken to a hospital until nearly two hours later. He would never wake up.

Deng had suffered repeated blunt force trauma to his head, torso, and thighs, according to the county coroner. Delay in treatment contributed to his death, the coroner also concluded.

Along with the five who face murder charges, others in the fraternity face charges of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, hindering apprehension, hazing, and criminal conspiracy.