Spoiler:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Tallahassee Police have announced that nine people will be charged in the death of Florida State University fraternity pledge Andrew Coffey.
According to TPD, after reviewing all of the evidence and in consultation of the State Attorney's Office, investigators developed probable cause for the following nine people, all between the ages of 20 and 22, in the death of Coffey:
Luke E. Kluttz
Clayton M. Muehlstein
Brett A. Birmingham
Conner R. Ravelo
Christopher M. Hamlin
Anthony Petagine
Anthony J. Oppenheimer
John B. Ray
Kyle J. Bauer
TPD says Honorable Judge Stephen Everett signed off on all nine arrest warrants on Jan. 16, for the charge of “College Hazing-Cause Injury or Death.”
According to Lt. Grady Jordan with the Leon County Sheriff's Office, all nine have turned themselves in. At least two of the nine have bonded out.
“This collaborative investigation was critical to finding answers for Andrew Coffey’s family and our community," said Tallahassee Police Chief Michael J. DeLeo. "Hopefully, this investigation and its outcome will prevent another tragedy from occurring.”
On Nov. 3, 2017, Coffey, 20, a junior, was found at an off-campus house following a night of partying, according to police. Investigators say he died from alcohol poisoning.
Investigators say that the party was known as "big-little" or "big brother" night that was "traditionally known for excessive alcohol consumption and revelry."
They completed dozens of interviews with witnesses, pledges and fraternity members about the party, learning that there was an expectation for "littles" (pledges) to drink the entire "family bottle."
While interviewees said that pledges were not physically forced to drink, investigators believe the pressure from leaders and fraternity members "led to an expectation of abusive drinking or the pledges could face possible ostracism by the group."
Investigators learned that Coffey had been drinking a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon, provided to him by his "big", before passing out. His "big" and two other frat members then carried Coffey to a couch where they left him "snoring loudly."
It wasn't until several hours later that Coffey was found dead. Autopsy results showed his blood alcohol level was nearly seven times the legal limit for driving.
As a result of the investigation, police found probable cause to charge the nine Pi Kappa Phi members, saying that they encouraged the excessive consumption of alcohol at the party, resulting in Coffey's death.
Eight of the members charged were part of the chapter's executive council: Petagine, the chapter's president, Ray, the vice president, Oppenheimer, the treasurer, Muehlstein, the secretary, Kluttz, the warden, Bauer, a pledge master, Birmingham, a marshal, and Hamlin, also a marshal.
Ravelo, Coffey's "big," was also charged. You can find the full affidavit here.
In response to Coffey's death, FSU indefinitely suspended all fraternities and sororities three days later and Pi Kappa Phi's national office closed the FSU chapter.
In December, a Leon County grand jury found evidence for criminal charges but left the decision about filing criminal charges to a future grand jury or the state attorney's office.
FSU President John Thrasher issued a statement on the hazing charges in the case:
“These arrest warrants strengthen our resolve to address the issue of responsible student behavior at Florida State University for the benefit, safety and well-being of our students and the community. Florida State does not tolerate hazing, and we are committed to continuing to combat all unsafe and dangerous practices and behaviors on our campus.
The indefinite suspension of Greek Life activities remains in place, and we continue to mourn Andrew Coffey’s loss. As we direct our efforts toward fostering a safer, healthier environment for all of our students, we also acknowledge the Coffey family’s terrible loss. We understand and share the concerns the Coffeys expressed to the grand jury in December about student indifference, reckless conduct and irresponsibility.
These arrests are the first step in seeking justice for Andrew and his loved ones, and they will inform us on where we need to place our focus as we proceed. Vice President Amy Hecht continues to work with our student groups in an effort to prevent further tragedy.
The grand juries have been very helpful to our work, and we appreciate the State Attorney’s efforts. Clearly, he is taking this matter just as seriously as we are. We hope all members and alumni of our Greek organizations are paying attention.”
According to TPD, after reviewing all of the evidence and in consultation of the State Attorney's Office, investigators developed probable cause for the following nine people, all between the ages of 20 and 22, in the death of Coffey:
Luke E. Kluttz
Clayton M. Muehlstein
Brett A. Birmingham
Conner R. Ravelo
Christopher M. Hamlin
Anthony Petagine
Anthony J. Oppenheimer
John B. Ray
Kyle J. Bauer
TPD says Honorable Judge Stephen Everett signed off on all nine arrest warrants on Jan. 16, for the charge of “College Hazing-Cause Injury or Death.”
According to Lt. Grady Jordan with the Leon County Sheriff's Office, all nine have turned themselves in. At least two of the nine have bonded out.
“This collaborative investigation was critical to finding answers for Andrew Coffey’s family and our community," said Tallahassee Police Chief Michael J. DeLeo. "Hopefully, this investigation and its outcome will prevent another tragedy from occurring.”
On Nov. 3, 2017, Coffey, 20, a junior, was found at an off-campus house following a night of partying, according to police. Investigators say he died from alcohol poisoning.
Investigators say that the party was known as "big-little" or "big brother" night that was "traditionally known for excessive alcohol consumption and revelry."
They completed dozens of interviews with witnesses, pledges and fraternity members about the party, learning that there was an expectation for "littles" (pledges) to drink the entire "family bottle."
While interviewees said that pledges were not physically forced to drink, investigators believe the pressure from leaders and fraternity members "led to an expectation of abusive drinking or the pledges could face possible ostracism by the group."
Investigators learned that Coffey had been drinking a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon, provided to him by his "big", before passing out. His "big" and two other frat members then carried Coffey to a couch where they left him "snoring loudly."
It wasn't until several hours later that Coffey was found dead. Autopsy results showed his blood alcohol level was nearly seven times the legal limit for driving.
As a result of the investigation, police found probable cause to charge the nine Pi Kappa Phi members, saying that they encouraged the excessive consumption of alcohol at the party, resulting in Coffey's death.
Eight of the members charged were part of the chapter's executive council: Petagine, the chapter's president, Ray, the vice president, Oppenheimer, the treasurer, Muehlstein, the secretary, Kluttz, the warden, Bauer, a pledge master, Birmingham, a marshal, and Hamlin, also a marshal.
Ravelo, Coffey's "big," was also charged. You can find the full affidavit here.
In response to Coffey's death, FSU indefinitely suspended all fraternities and sororities three days later and Pi Kappa Phi's national office closed the FSU chapter.
In December, a Leon County grand jury found evidence for criminal charges but left the decision about filing criminal charges to a future grand jury or the state attorney's office.
FSU President John Thrasher issued a statement on the hazing charges in the case:
“These arrest warrants strengthen our resolve to address the issue of responsible student behavior at Florida State University for the benefit, safety and well-being of our students and the community. Florida State does not tolerate hazing, and we are committed to continuing to combat all unsafe and dangerous practices and behaviors on our campus.
The indefinite suspension of Greek Life activities remains in place, and we continue to mourn Andrew Coffey’s loss. As we direct our efforts toward fostering a safer, healthier environment for all of our students, we also acknowledge the Coffey family’s terrible loss. We understand and share the concerns the Coffeys expressed to the grand jury in December about student indifference, reckless conduct and irresponsibility.
These arrests are the first step in seeking justice for Andrew and his loved ones, and they will inform us on where we need to place our focus as we proceed. Vice President Amy Hecht continues to work with our student groups in an effort to prevent further tragedy.
The grand juries have been very helpful to our work, and we appreciate the State Attorney’s efforts. Clearly, he is taking this matter just as seriously as we are. We hope all members and alumni of our Greek organizations are paying attention.”
http://www.wtxl.com/news/leaders-of-fsu ... e1338.html