NEWS

4 of 5 accused in Ole Miss frat prank exonerated

Therese Apel
Clarion Ledger

Four of five Ole Miss students accused in an alleged October hazing incident had charges dropped in court Monday, according to an attorney for one of the students.

Top, L-R: Tucker Cole Steil, James Declan Basile
Bottom: Austin Rice, Christian Guy,  Kyle Huges

Judge Mickey Avent ruled the state did not meet  its burden of proof in charging Christian Guy, Kyle Hughes and Austin Rice  with larceny and James Declan Basile of assault, hazing and larceny.

The ruling came after the judge heard testimony from the alleged victim, Jeremy Boyle, and others.

Rice's attorney, Tony Farese, is calling the incident a fraternity prank gone bad.

"I think when it was reported, misinformation was disseminated to the press where all the young men were accused of assaulting Mr. Boyle, which wasn't true," said Farese. "We're extremely pleased with the ruling. The judge did the right thing."

According to Farese, the night of the incident the five accused — members of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at the time — went to the Sigma Pi house for the purpose of temporarily removing a concrete donkey on top of the house. Farese said the donkey was put on top of the building as a dare to other fraternities to try to steal it.

Farese said testimony from the investigating officer indicated that the defendants were going to take the donkey and bring it back in a few days.

Early reports stated the alleged assault occurred Oct. 6 when Boyle heard a disturbance in the backyard and was attacked by five people when he "went outside to investigate."

Basile was initially charged with assault against Boyle, but in court Boyle testified that he initiated the fight by putting an individual he thought to be Tucker Cole Steil in a headlock, but it turned out to be Basile.

"We’re pleased these young men were exonerated," Farese said. "My client Austin Rice has a stellar record and a great future, and we want the public to be advised he was cleared of any wrongdoing."

The five accused were disciplined by the university and kicked out of their fraternity, Farese said.

"It's been a tragic situation for everyone involved," he said.

Steil's case has been continued. He is charged with felony-level assault.

Contact Therese Apel at tapel@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.