THE NATION - News from May 13, 2009
A Louisiana prosecutor says he has reached a plea deal with seven former college students accused of sending two fellow marching band members to intensive care after a violent hazing incident.
East Baton Rouge Parish Dist. Atty. Hillar Moore said the seven had agreed to plead guilty to hazing and conspiracy charges.
Moore said they will probably be sentenced to probation. Each had faced up to 50 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.
Authorities say two students were facing organ failure after being beaten last year. A third victim told investigators he stopped the initiation ritual -- into a group of French horn players -- after being hit with a wooden board 50 times.
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