Your World

Your World
Capture, share community events

°

Homepage / Jacksonville News
Text Size

2 FAMU Fraternity Brothers Get 2 Years For Hazing

POSTED: Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Two Florida A&M University fraternity brothers each received two-year prison terms Monday from a judge who said she wanted to send a message with the state's first prosecution under a felony hazing law.

Michael Morton, 23, of Fort Lauderdale, and Jason Harris, 25, of Jacksonville, were led from the courtroom in handcuffs and so was Harris' lawyer, Richard Keith Alan II, who was charged with indirect criminal contempt.

Circuit Judge Kathleen Dekker said one year might have been sufficient to punish Morton and Harris but that she added a second year to make sure that their sentences serve as a deterrent.

A jury in December convicted both under the new law that makes it a felony to participate in hazing that results in serious bodily injury. They could have from 12 months to five years under sentencing guidelines.

It was the second trial for Morton, Harris and three other Kappa Alpha Psi members. They were charged with hazing Marcus Jones, 20, of Decatur, Ga., who suffered a broken ear drum and severe bruising to his buttocks after he was punched and struck with wooden canes.

The first jury was unable to reach a verdict for any of the five defendants after raising questions about serious bodily injury, which is not defined in the law. The second jury also was unable to reach a verdict for the other three defendants and they are to be tried a third time in March.

Sponsored Links

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Don’t believe everything people tell you about home improvement. Check out the top 4 myths and stop throwing away your money. More

If you have aspirations of becoming a millionaire, check out these five habits that may be worth emulating. More

Eating breakfast is good for you, but eating a healthy breakfast is even better. Get the scoop on which breakfast foods are the most nutritious. More

You’ve heard of certain foods that can help you prevent cancer and even halt the spread of the disease. Find out if these anti-cancer foods really work. More

Most Popular

  • StoriesClick to Expand

    • 11-Year-Old Girl Helps Deliver Baby

      Gainesville baby with mom and sisterAn 11-year-old Gainesville girl called 911 and helped her mom deliver her newborn baby sister when the big moment came before they could get to the hospital.

    • Robbery Suspect Shot By Police

      Family Dollar police-involved shootingThe Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating after they say a robbery suspect was shot by one of their officers on the Northside Saturday night.

    • Army: Shooting Suspect Taken Off Ventilator

      A U.S. Army spokesman says the man authorities say went on a shooting spree at Fort Hood has been taken off a ventilator while an officer hailed as a hero is in good condition.

    • Usher's Divorce From Wife Final

      R&B singer Usher's divorce from his wife is final, according to court documents.

    • Landmark Health Bill Passes House On Close Vote

      Health InsuranceThe Democratic-controlled House has narrowly passed landmark health care reform legislation, handing President Barack Obama a hard won victory on his signature domestic priority.

  • VideoClick to Expand

  • SlideshowsClick to Expand