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4 plead not guilty to hazing in Palatine teen’s death at NIU

Four members of a Northern Illinois University fraternity have pleaded not guilty to felony hazing charges in connection with a student’s death.

David Bogenberger was found dead at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house on Nov. 2. The night before, the 19-year-old pledge attended an event that the national fraternity organization says was not sanctioned. Toxicology results found his blood alcohol content was about five times the legal limit for driving.

According to the Daily Chronicle, Alex M. Jandick, 21, of Naperville, the fraternity president; fraternity Vice President James P. Harvey, 21, of DeKalb; pledge adviser Omar Salameh, 22, of DeKalb; and Patrick W. Merrill, 20, of DeKalb all pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Sycamore.

The Daily Chronicle reported that a fifth fraternity member facing a felony count will be arraigned later. More than a dozen others face misdemeanor hazing charges. Bogenberger’s family has filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the fraternity and more than 20 students.

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