Nine individuals have been charged in connection with the 2021 hazing death of Phat Nguyen, a 21-year-old Michigan State University student, who succumbed to alcohol intoxication during a fraternity event. As reported by MLive, seven of the charged were recently taken into custody, joining two others who had previously been arrested in 2022.
Initial arrests included Ethan Cao, 24, and Andrew Nguyen, 25 – not related to the victim. Their cases remain unresolved. Seven new arrests were made on January 31, comprising Courtney Thang, 22, Ali Ghazi, 23, David Shim, 23, Hanna Lee, 24, Sumin Yoo, 22, Nicholas Phraxayavong, 23, and Hoang John Pham, 24. While Pham's charges were dropped last year, recharged on Jan. 31. This string of arrests came shortly after MSU overhauled its student code of conduct. The information has also been covered by WILX, consolidating the sequence of events leading to the charges.
According to WLNS, the incident occurred at an off-campus fraternity event meant to celebrate the new members of Pi Alpha Phi. Nguyen and three other pledges were found with dangerously high blood-alcohol content levels, which unfortunately led to Nguyen's death and the hospitalization of the others. Following the tragedy, the MSU chapter of Pi Alpha Phi was shuttered.
Investigations unearthed disturbing evidence, including video footage showing the excessive consumption of alcohol and pledges being coerced into performing demeaning acts. One such video showed a defendant mocking one of the survivors, as "Shim chanting, 'maintain stupid bitch' as someone hits (the pledge) with a Cheerios box," according to statements gathered by MLive. The defendants face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of hazing resulting in death, additionally, the misdemeanor charges of hazing resulting in injury could lead to nearly a three-month incarceration for each count.
Defense teams for the accused have spoken out, with Okemos attorney Brian Morley, representing Andrew Nguyen, asserting, "There’s no showing or evidence that I’ve seen that Mr. Nguyen did anything … that led to the death or injuries of the alleged victims," he told MLive. Whereas Lansing Attorney Edwar Zeineh, representing Cao, has remarked on the need for a robust defense in confronting the grave allegations faced by his client. Court hearings for the defendants, except Phraxayavong who is expected to face court on February 16, commenced on February 9, as noted by WILX.
