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"He Said, 'My College Experience Is Stolen'"

Photo credit: Yanicka Shepherd/the Famuan (file photo) Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.'s Alpha Xi chapter at Florida A&M University has been suspended. Five students have been arrested.

By Brandi Worley
Black College Wire

Three months after filing a hazing complaint against five members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., at Florida A&M University, the once-normal college life of 20-year-old pledge Marcus Jones has severely been altered, according to his father.

"He said his college experience was taken away from him," Mark Jones said. "He said, 'My college experience is stolen'."

Marcus, who was a sophomore environmental science major, is taking time off from school. He now lives with his father in Decatur, Ga. It is uncertain whether he will finish college or whether he will return to FAMU, Mark Jones said.

He has lost his partial-tuition academic scholarship because he did not complete classes this spring semester, according to Mark Jones.

LeNedra Carroll, FAMU director of university relations and public affairs, declined to comment on the prospect of the hazing incident ending Jones' career at FAMU. She referred all questions to campus police.

Mark Jones described his son as a sociable, active person who loved going to the movies and hanging out with his friends. But because of the hazing incident, he no longer enjoys a movie because he lost some of his hearing, the father said. Nor does he hang out with the same social group.

Jones also said his son loved baseball. In late May, the two had planned to watch center-fielder Kenny Lofton of the Los Angeles Dodgers play against the Atlanta Braves when the Dodgers came to Atlanta. But because of his injuries, Marcus cannot bear to sit in the bleacher-like seats, the father said.

Mark Jones, a master sergeant in the Army and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, reported on March 8 that his son was beaten multiple times by members of Kappa Alpha Psi and underwent surgery as a result. The student "lost over a half pint of blood, has huge blisters on his right buttock, has a drainage tube in his right buttock and required 25 stitches," according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Leon County, Fla., Sheriff's Department.

The students were immediately suspended, as was the Kappas' Alpha Xi chapter.

Jason Harris

According to the affidavit from Det. Brice Google, "Marcus explained that at times, people were getting hit so hard that the solid wooden canes were breaking. The Kappas would pick up the broken parts of the canes and tape them together making an even thicker cane and then began hitting them with that one. Marcus stated that after a while of the Kappas taping broken pieces of canes together, one of them (the canes) would be as thick as if not thicker than a bat."

Cory Gray

Mark Jones is speaking to the news media on his son's behalf.

"He's just pretty much thinking about past experiences," the father said. "He's not as talkative. He's not as sociably outgoing as he was. He doesn't have that circle of friends that he had, going out with the guys. It's all over right now. He doesn't do that. I don't think he even goes to the movies anymore."

Michael Morton

Arrested April 10 and released on $3,500 bond each were Michael Morton, Brian Bowman, Marcus Hughes, Cory Gray and Jason Harris. They were Florida's first arrests on such charges since a June 2005 law made hazing a third-degree felony when it causes serious bodily injury.

Bill Waters of Waters & Wolk, legal counsel for the five students, said he had no comment while the investigation continues.

Brian Bowman

The trial has been tentatively set for Sept. 11.

Chief Calvin Ross of the FAMU Police Department said the university implemented a very aggressive anti-hazing policy and advises students of the consequences of hazing and of Florida's new anti-hazing law.

"Currently, those that were charged by the state attorney are currently waiting the criminal hearing.

Marcus Hughes

"They went through administrative hearing that they requested and are waiting on a decision," Ross said. The Kappas are suspended from school pending the outcome of the criminal case, he said.

Jones said the reaction from others has been mixed.

"Some are apologetic and sympathetic; some people are like, 'hey that's the way it is,'" Jones said.

Brandi Worley is a student at Southern University at Baton Rouge.

Posted June 22, 2006