advertisement

Lawyers say clients not to blame for NIU student’s death

Defense attorneys say the leaders of a Northern Illinois University fraternity aren’t responsible for the death of a student during an alleged hazing.

Five officers of Pi Kappa Alpha appeared in DeKalb County court on Friday to face felony hazing charges in the November alcohol-related death of 19-year-old freshman David Bogenberger of Palatine. Seventeen other fraternity members are charged with misdemeanor hazing.

Attorney John Donahue, representing fraternity president Alex Jandick of Naperville, said his client regrets Bogenberger’s death. Attorneys for the other students appearing in court said Bogenberger’s death was a tragedy, not a crime. None entered formal pleas.

Bogenberger was found unresponsive at the fraternity house early on Nov. 2. The DeKalb County coroner’s office said toxicology results found his blood alcohol content was about five times the legal limit for driving.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.