Students accused in death can enroll for fall
PEORIA -- Three students accused of setting off fireworks that led to the death of a Bradley University student will be allowed to enroll in classes for the fall semester, the university said Thursday.
"Bradley University is following its published policies and procedures that have permitted David Crady, Ryan Johnson and Nicholas Metgen to enroll for the 2007 fall semester," the school said in a statement.
The students could have been expelled from the 6,100-student campus after the Aug. 12 incident. The university said it would not comment on the educational records of any of the students.
Prosecutors contend the trio were among four students who set off Roman candles in their apartment after a night of drinking.
The fireworks led to a fire that killed 19-year-old Dan Dahlquist, a sophomore and member of the school's soccer team, authorities said.
The three are charged along with another friend, 20-year-old Illinois Central College student Daniel Cox, with aggravated arson and possession of explosives.
Peoria County Chief Public Defender Thomas Penn Jr. said during the men's bond hearing that Dahlquist died after a prank gone awry, that all the students had ties to the community and were not flight risks. He did not immediately return a telephone message left after business hours Thursday from The Associated Press.
The four are free after posting $50,000 bail each and are scheduled for preliminary hearings Sept. 13 in Peoria County court.