Dane County DA declines to prosecute two men in Madison hazing case
No criminal charges will be filed against the fraternity leaders arrested in September, despite police finding visible injuries among roughly 30 participants.
By Giulia Marshall ·
The Dane County District Attorney's Office will not file criminal charges against two men arrested in September for their roles in a hazing incident at a Madison fraternity. The decision concludes the criminal investigation into the event, which police described as unlawful when they intervened.
Madison police responded to an anonymous tip on the night of Sept. 23. Officers arrived at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house on Langdon Street at approximately 8:20 p.m. They found about 30 men in the basement, most of them partially clothed and covered in food, condiments, and liquids. The group consisted largely of 18-year-olds. Several had visible injuries consistent with physical assault. The room's thermostat was set to 81 degrees, creating hot and humid conditions.
Police declared the gathering unlawful and cleared the residence. The fraternity's president and vice president were present and spoke with officers. Law enforcement arrested both men and booked them into the Dane County Jail. The men were initially charged with hazing and disorderly conduct.
The district attorney's office determined that the evidence was insufficient to prove a criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The office did not respond to follow-up inquiries regarding specific details of the decision.
Alpha Epsilon Pi is not a recognized or accredited student organization at the University of Wisconsin. The university terminated the group more than a decade ago. In a statement released on Monday, the fraternity said it is working with chapter members to review the incident.
The group stated it views the event as a teachable moment for the young men involved. It aims to improve operations to align with its guidelines, the student conduct code, and Wisconsin state law. The fraternity said it has implemented a corrective action plan. This plan includes replacing chapter leadership and limiting programming to ensure compliance with its values.
The fraternity said its mission is to develop leadership for the Jewish community. It stated that the new leadership and operational changes are designed to make future activities safer and more consistent with those goals.
