×
  • Home
  • About
    • Firm Overview
    • Experience
    • Fraternal Law Conference
    • Conference Sponsorship
  • Our Attorneys
    • Overview
    • Timothy M. Burke
    • Sean P. Callan
    • John E. Christopher
    • Amy M. Hebbeler
    • Patrick K. Hogan
    • Micah E. Kamrass
    • Ilana L. Linder
    • Jacklyn D. Olinger
    • Jacob W. Purcell
    • Jeffrey C. Sun
  • Practice Areas
    • Overview
    • Real Estate and Housing
    • Tax
    • Employment Issues
    • Corporate Governance
    • Grant-Making
    • Litigation
    • Risk Management & Hazing
    • Fundraising & Stewardship
    • State Registration for Greek Foundations
  • Client Resources
  • Anti-Hazing
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Newsletter

The health and safety of our employees, customers and communities are our top priority. Read about our response to COVID-19.

  • Home
  • About
    • Firm Overview
    • Experience
    • Fraternal Law Conference
    • Conference Sponsorship
  • Our Attorneys
    • Overview
    • Timothy M. Burke
    • Sean P. Callan
    • John E. Christopher
    • Amy M. Hebbeler
    • Patrick K. Hogan
    • Micah E. Kamrass
    • Ilana L. Linder
    • Jacklyn D. Olinger
    • Jacob W. Purcell
    • Jeffrey C. Sun
  • Practice Areas
    • Overview
    • Real Estate and Housing
    • Tax
    • Employment Issues
    • Corporate Governance
    • Grant-Making
    • Litigation
    • Risk Management & Hazing
    • Fundraising & Stewardship
    • State Registration for Greek Foundations
  • Client Resources
  • Anti-Hazing
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
513-721-5525
Fraternal Law

Fraternal Law Newsletter

Publications

Newsletter


Articles

  • SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON ORDERED TO PAY $16.2 MILLION
  • DEATH AT WABASH COLLEGE
  • UPDATE ON RIDER HAZING DEATH
  • COLLEGE PRESIDENTS SEEK TO REDUCE THE DRINKING AGE
  • IRS ELIMINATES ADVANCE RULING PROCESS FOR PUBLIC CHARITY STATUS
  • Fraternity Charged With Hazing
  • PIKE CHAPTER AT UF REINSTATED FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL APPEAL
  • DOES THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT APPLY TO FRATERNITY HOUSES?
  • PIKE CHAPTER AT UF REINSTATED FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL APPEAL

Search

Newsletter > November 2008 > "SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON ORDERED TO PAY $16.2 MILLION"

SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON ORDERED TO PAY $16.2 MILLION

Daniel McCarthy, Manley Burke


In November 2006, Tyler Cross, a freshman at the University of Texas, fell to his death from a fifth floor balcony at his off-campus dormitory.  Cross was a pledge of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  The police investigation revealed that the chapter was preparing for its annual “Jungle Party,” and that the pledges were each given half-gallon bottles of liquor to drink.  Cross’ blood alcohol content registered as 0.19 at the time of his death, which is more than twice the legal driving limit in Texas.

Tyler’s parents, Donald and Debra Cross, sued the chapter, Sigma Alpha Epsilon International and others, alleging that hazing “constituted physical abuse and bodily harm” that “seriously impaired the physical and mental capacities of Tyler Cross, and proximately caused his death.”  After neither the local chapter nor the international organization answered or replied to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs moved for default judgment.  In late October, State District Judge John Dietz granted the default judgment, and ordered the defendants pay the plaintiffs $16.2 million.

The fraternity has already stated that it will appeal.  In a statement released on SAE’s webpage, the fraternity stated, “The organization is hopeful, based on the facts, that the court will act as requested and that it will have an opportunity to answer as it already has for the individuals and others named in the lawsuit.”  Their request to set aside the default judgment was still pending as of press time.

The civil lawsuit is only the most recent development from Mr. Cross’ death.  Previously, four former members of the chapter were sentenced to probation and two were sentenced to very brief jail sentences for their roles and participation in the hazing activities that led to Mr. Cross’ death.  Those sentenced to jail were pledge trainers and pleaded no contest to hazing and furnishing alcohol to minors.  In addition to jail time, they also received two years of deferred adjudication, which is essentially a form of probation.

Fraternal Law will keep you updated as the case progresses.

 

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Attorney Advertising. The laws governing legal advertising in the state of Ohio require the following statement in any publication of this kind: "THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT." This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Copyright © 2023 Fraternal Law Partners. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy Disclaimer
Fraternal Law

Newsletters

Sign Up For Updates

Get the latest news from Fraternal Law Partners in your inbox.

    By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Fraternal Law Parnterns. You can revoke your consent to recieve emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® Link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.