Wrongful-death judgment handed down for 2003 PSU hazing

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December 4, 2007

State Supreme Court awards $1.5 million to family of Walter Dean Jennings

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Wed Dec 05, 2007, 01:30 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH -- More than four years after Plattsburgh State student Walter Dean Jennings died from hazing-related torment, a judge has handed down a $1.5 million judgment for his death.

Jennings, a freshman history major at the local college, was pledging the Psi Epsilon Chi fraternity in March 2003 when he was forced to drink urine, stay awake for days and consume vast amounts of alcohol during a 10-day initiation and hazing process.

On his last night of pledging the unrecognized fraternity, the 18-year-old was forced to drink gallons of water through a funnel, which caused his brain to swell from water intoxication and ultimately resulted in his death.

After his death, which sparked outrage across the state, 10 of his alleged tormenters and an alumnus were collectively charged with more than 150 crimes and later pleaded guilty to a range of lesser charges that left them either serving probation or community service.

The 10 students were later expelled from Plattsburgh State.

In late 2004, Jennings' parents, Walter Jr. and Sue Jennings of Wilton, filed a wrongful-death suit against 14 members of the fraternity, which was banned by the college in 1998.

All but one, John Burnius, have since settled out of court.

According to the Albany Times Union, a State Supreme Court justice recently handed down a $1.5 million judgment against Burnius: $400,000 in compensatory damages, $100,000 for wrongful death and $1 million in punitive damages.

The Times Union reported the punitive damages were awarded for Burnius' alleged "arrogant and uncivilized" disregard for Jennings' life and well-being.

The former fraternity house at 72 Broad St. was sold shortly after Jennings' death and is now used as college housing.

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com