An alleged hazing incident that sent a Kansas University fraternity pledge to the hospital last month doesn’t warrant criminal charges, Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney said Wednesday.

“I feel that university action in this particular case would have more of a deterrent effect on these fraternal organizations than our pursuing criminal charges against individuals in the organization,” Kenney said.

One reason, she said, is that because of a change made in 1992, state law doesn’t prohibit individuals from hazing. Rather, it prohibits organizations from promoting or permitting hazing.

To prosecute under that law, Kenney said, she would have had to file charges against the fraternity’s officers.

“We looked at whether or not the individuals that actually were involved in the incident could be held criminally liable,” she said. “We concluded they could not.”

Kenney said she was still reviewing whether to charge members of Sigma Nu fraternity with furnishing alcohol to a minor.

A 19-year-old freshman, Steven Weith, suffered a head injury Aug. 13 during an initiation ritual that, according to a police report, involved five fraternity members throwing a pledge in the air. Weith was admitted to Lawrence Memorial Hospital and later transferred to KU Med, Kansas City, Kan., but he remained in the fraternity.

Todd Cohen, a KU spokesman, said the Dean of Students Office was reviewing the incident to determine whether students or the fraternity should be sanctioned.

The fraternity faces possible punishments, including probation or suspension.

¢ 6News video: No charges filed in alleged hazing¢ Student injured in hazing incident (8-19-03)¢ 6News video: Alleged hazing incident occurs at Sigma Nu¢Anti-hazing policies: KU Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, KU official policy¢Sigma Nu fraternity