Clemson students charged after drinking death

Static · #1 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

WALHALLA, South Carolina (AP) -- Three fraternity members at Clemson University were charged with alcohol-related misdemeanors after a freshman died of alcohol poisoning during an off-campus party, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
The students' activities did not directly lead to the death of 18-year-old Benjamin Garrison Sprague, prosecutor Chrissy Adams said.
But the three students, all members of the fraternity Sigma Nu, face charges that include transferring beer and liquor to a minor and using fake identification to buy alcohol.
Adams said Sprague was not forced to drink at the party.
"Ben made choices that night to consume alcohol, and he consumed alcohol in excess, and that led to his death," Adams said. "These boys made a mistake by providing the alcohol and having it available at a fraternity party to underage drinkers."
Sprague died of alcohol poisoning December 9 at an off-campus Sigma Nu fraternity house. He had a blood-alcohol level of nearly 0.38 percent -- about five times above the legal threshold for driving, Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis has said.
After Sprague's death, the school's Sigma Nu chapter was placed on interim suspension by the university and the national fraternity pending investigations. The suspension means the group cannot hold any meetings or parties.
"We fully expect our members to abide by, uphold and support the laws of the land, including laws pertaining to alcohol purchase, consumption and use," said Brad Beacham, executive director of the Virginia-based national Sigma Nu Fraternity.
Adams said Sprague, who had recently been initiated into the fraternity, had been drinking for four hours before he arrived at the party. Adams read a statement from Sprague's parents that said, "While we acknowledge Ben's errors in judgment, we do not believe his errors overshadow his goodness."
Clemson spokeswoman Robin Denny said the school will determine if the students who were charged would also be suspended.
"Our first thoughts are with the Sprague family and continue to be with them, since this is just another sad day for their family and for the Clemson family," Denny said.
The prosecutor said Jetin Patel, 19,, of Spartanburg, was charged with using a fake ID to purchase beer at a grocery store. He also faces charges of underage possession of beer and transfer of beer to a person under 21.
Matthew Rinckel, 20, of Lynchburg, Virginia, was charged with transfer of beer and transfer of liquor to a person under 21.
Addison Kerr, 21, of Atlanta, was charged with transfer of liquor to a minor.
It was unclear whether the students had attorneys. All three were booked Tuesday and released from jail on their own recognizance.
While their punishments could range anywhere from fines to about one month in jail, Adams said the students are eligible for a pretrial intervention program. If they are admitted and successfully complete the program, the charges would be removed from their records.

What's your take on this? Do you think the three students who supplied the alcohol should be charged?

I also just wanted to point out that if this were weed and not alcohol, nobody would be dead and no charges would have had to been filed against anyone. Yet alcohol is 100% legal if your 21 or over, and weed is still 100% illegal if your of any age...there's a little hypocracy for ya.

**Opunaya** · 01-30-2008, 04:42 PM

And you asked if people are idiots.

Static · 01-30-2008, 06:09 PM

why would you post something that has nothing to do with the thread?

**Opunaya** · 01-30-2008, 06:27 PM

Because...these kids were stupid?

Static · 01-31-2008, 12:19 AM

Yeah sure, but if 3 of my friends went out and bought a bunch of beer for everyone, then my dumb ass decided to drink way too much and I ended up dying because of it, in no way should the 3 friends be held responsible for that. That's 100% ridiculous. This could probably ruin the rest of those three guys lives. How does that help the situation?

**Opunaya** · 01-31-2008, 05:01 AM

Honestly? I don't care. All this is to me is natural selection at work.